Istanbul Bilgi University

Istanbul Bilgi University is a foundation university established in 1996 by the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation. The university has operated on its campuses in Kuştepe, Dolapdere and santralistanbul in Istanbul. It comprises eight faculties, three institutes and three vocational schools.

In 2019, Can Holding joined the supporters of the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation. Following the appointment of a trustee to the founding foundation, the university’s operating license was revoked on 22 May 2026 under Article 11 of the Additional Provisions of Law No. 2547 on Higher Education.

^{Istanbul Bilgi University Kuştepe Campus - (}Bilgi University Official Website⁾

Istanbul Bilgi University was established as a foundation university on 7 June 1996 by Law No. 4142, adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye upon the application of the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation. The university’s official motto is the Latin phrase "Non scholae, sed vitae discimus" (We learn not for school but for life).

After its establishment, the university expanded its activities and began offering education across three campuses covering a total area of approximately 210,000 square meters. In 2006, it entered into a collaboration with Laureate Education, an international higher education network. This collaboration continued until 2019.

In 2019, Can Holding joined the supporters of the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation. National media reported that the agreement was valued at approximately 90 million US dollars, but this figure was not confirmed by the foundation’s administration. The foundation stated that the university’s current academic and administrative staff would continue in their positions and that collaborations with the Laureate International Universities Network and other international partnerships would be maintained.

Istanbul Bilgi University offers education at the associate’s, bachelor’s and postgraduate levels through faculties, institutes, schools and vocational schools. The university comprises eight faculties, three institutes and three vocational schools, offering more than 150 academic programs across various disciplines.

Academic units at the university include the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Business, Faculty of Communication, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Social and Human Sciences. Programs offered in these faculties include architecture, industrial design, interior architecture, business, economics, international finance, marketing, advertising, radio-television and cinema, public relations, electrical engineering, computer engineering, industrial engineering, psychology, international relations and philosophy.

The university also operates the School of Applied Sciences, School of Aviation and School of Sports Sciences and Technology, which provide various professional and applied education programs.

At the postgraduate level, the university offers master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as film and television, business administration, marketing, electrical and electronic engineering, clinical psychology and human rights law.

The language of instruction at the university is Turkish or English, depending on the program. Preparation programs in English are available for programs taught in English.

Until the decision to close the university was issued on 21 May 2026, the university hosted over 20,000 students, over 70,000 graduates and more than 1,000 academics.

Istanbul Bilgi University has three campuses: santralistanbul, Dolapdere and Kuştepe.

The santralistanbul Campus is located on the European side of Istanbul, along the Haliç shoreline within the boundaries of the Eyüpsultan district. Built on an area of approximately 118 dönüm, the campus was created by converting the Silahtarağa Power Plant, one of the first electricity generation facilities used by the Ottoman State and the Republic of Türkiye. The campus also houses the Santralistanbul Energy Museum.

The Dolapdere Campus is located in the Dolapdere neighborhood of the Beyoğlu district. The campus building was awarded the “Building and Living Environment Prize” in 2002.

The Kuştepe Campus is located in the Kuştepe neighborhood of the Şişli district. One of the university’s original educational facilities since its founding, the campus hosts various faculties, schools, classrooms and administrative units.

Istanbul Bilgi University conducts student exchange programs and academic cooperation agreements with higher education institutions in various countries. The university maintains partnerships with universities in other countries under the Erasmus+ program and other international exchange initiatives.

The university’s English language preparatory program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). Additionally, the university has received institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Istanbul Bilgi University hosts research and application centers active in various disciplines.

Childhood Studies Application and Research Center (BİLGİ ÇOÇA): Conducts research, education and project activities in the fields of children’s rights, child participation and child policies. The center initially operated under the Civil Society Studies Application and Research Center before becoming an independent application and research center.

European Union Institute: Conducts academic activities on European Union affairs, migration, human rights, democratization, social policy and European integration.

Youth Studies Unit: Carries out research on youth policies, youth social participation and youth studies.

Migration Studies Application and Research Center: Conducts research on migration movements in Türkiye and internationally, prepares publications and organizes academic events.

Human Rights Law Application and Research Center: Conducts research, education and publication activities in the fields of human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Culture Policies and Management Research Center (KPY): Conducts research and educational activities in the fields of culture policies, cultural economy, cultural participation and cultural management.

Social Incubation Center: Implements programs providing capacity building, training, consultancy and workspace support for civil society organizations and social enterprises.

Sociology and Education Studies Application and Research Center (SEÇBİR): Conducts research and project activities in the fields of education policies, combating discrimination, human rights education and inclusive education.

Civil Society Organization Education and Research Unit (BİLGİ STK): Conducts research, education and publication activities aimed at enhancing the institutional capacity of civil society organizations.

Environment, Energy and Sustainability Application and Research Center (ÇESUAM): Conducts research and organizes academic events in the fields of environment, energy and sustainability.

The rectors of the university and their terms of office are as follows:

Prof. Dr. Gülten Kazgan (Founding Rector)

Prof. Dr. Asaf Savaş Akat (1996–1998)

Prof. Dr. İlter Turan (1998–2001)

Prof. Dr. Lale Duruiz (2001–2005)

Prof. Dr. Aydın Uğur (2005–2009)

Prof. Dr. Halil Güven (2009–2011)

Prof. Dr. M. Remzi Sanver (2011–2015/2016)

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Durman (2015–2016)

Prof. Dr. Murat Borovalı (2016–2017)

Prof. Dr. M. Ege Yazgan (2017–2019)

Prof. Dr. Kübra Doğan Yenisey (2019–2020)

Prof. Dr. M. N. Alpaslan Parlakçı (2020–2022)

Until the decision to close the university was issued, the acting rector was Prof. Dr. M. Ege Yazgan.

In 2019, Can Holding became one of the supporters of the Bilgi Education and Culture Foundation, the founding foundation of Istanbul Bilgi University. Legal and administrative proceedings conducted as part of the investigation into Can Holding affected the university’s founding foundation and governance structure.

The first operation against Can Holding was carried out by the Küçükçekmece Public Prosecutor’s Office on 11 September 2025. Arrest warrants were issued for ten individuals, including Mehmet Şakir Can, Kemal Can and Kenan Tekdağ. Kenan Tekdağ was later released under judicial supervision.

Seizure measures were applied to numerous companies associated with Can Holding. These include media organizations, educational institutions and legal entities linked to Istanbul Bilgi University. The operation was based on reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and examination files prepared by financial audit units.

During the investigation, a trustee was appointed to the founding foundation of Istanbul Bilgi University. Subsequently, Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), announced that educational and teaching activities at the university would continue without interruption.

On 22 May 2026, in accordance with the decision published in the Official Gazette, the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University was revoked under Article 11 of the Additional Provisions of Law No. 2547 on Higher Education. The decision stated that the revocation of the operating license was carried out as part of the process concerning the foundation and governance structure to which the university is affiliated.

The Council of Higher Education has established procedures and principles to be applied when the operating license of a foundation higher education institution is revoked. Under these regulations, a "guarantor state university" is designated for each foundation university to ensure students can continue their education. If the capacity of the guarantor university is insufficient, YÖK may designate another state higher education institution for student transfers.

In 2021, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University was designated as the guarantor state university for Istanbul Bilgi University. Following the revocation of the university’s operating license, YÖK is overseeing the process of determining which higher education institutions students will be transferred to.

The Presidential Decree revoking the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University has been annulled by a new decision published in the Official Gazette, and it has been announced that educational and teaching activities at the university will continue.

According to the presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and published in the Official Gazette, the previous presidential decision to revoke the operating license of Istanbul Bilgi University, whose founding foundation had been placed under a trustee, has been annulled.

It was stated that the decision was taken under Article 11 of the Additional Provisions of Law No. 2547 on Higher Education, upon the recommendation of the Council of Higher Education.

According to the new decision, educational and teaching activities at Istanbul Bilgi University will continue without interruption. It was stated that students’ educational processes will proceed uninterrupted and that no disruption will occur in the university’s academic activities.

YÖK President Erol Özvar, in a statement on his social media account, announced that educational activities at Istanbul Bilgi University would continue under the discretion of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Özvar stated that the decision was reconsidered to ensure students’ education would not be disrupted, families’ peace of mind would be preserved and the rights of university staff would be respected. Özvar noted that the initial decision was a legally mandatory procedure under existing legislation, but was subsequently updated based on new reports and current situation assessments. The statement also emphasized that the determination to prevent harm to students, families and university staff had been taken into account, and that the revised decision is expected to yield positive outcomes for the higher education community.