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İzzet Baysal was a businessman who carried out various projects in education, health and social assistance. He was born in Bolu in 1907 and dedicated his life to serving people and undertaking social responsibility initiatives. He is known for his visibility in education and business, his contributions to charitable institutions, and for establishing the İzzet Baysal Foundation in Bolu. İzzet Baysal, who devoted his life to serving his community and guiding it toward a better future, has entered history as a well-known figure in Turkish business and philanthropy.
İzzet Baysal was born in 1907 in the Karaçayır neighborhood of Bolu and was the youngest of four children. His father was Civil Servant Ahmet Canip Efendi and his mother was Hafız Behiye Hanım. Baysal began his education at an early age and completed his primary schooling in Bolu with the support of his family.
After completing primary education, İzzet Baysal enrolled in 1926 at Mekteb-i Sultan-i Nefise in Istanbul, where he received architectural training. He graduated as an architect in 1931 and continued his education with determination despite growing up in a family with limited income. During his studies, Baysal worked various jobs to overcome financial difficulties and successfully obtained diploma number 411. He began his professional career at the Bolu Public Works Directorate and gained recognition by preparing the urban plan for the district of Gerede.
In 1936, İzzet Baysal moved to Ankara and began working as a freelance architect. He undertook projects for villas designed for figures such as the Azerbaijani representative Sadri Maksudi Aral and Medine Guard Fahrettin Paşa. Additionally, the birth of his only child, Esin, in 1939 marked a significant milestone in his family life. During these years, he signed numerous projects and expanded his reputation beyond local circles.
İzzet Baysal Documentary(Youtube)
İzzet Baysal (1907–2000), although trained as a civil engineer, achieved success in trade and industry, particularly in the iron and steel and construction sectors. With the success he attained in business and the capital he accumulated, he led major investments in education and health across various regions of Türkiye, with Bolu as the focal point.
Baysal transformed his business activities into public benefit by founding the İzzet Baysal Foundation, which financed the construction of hospitals, schools and various public service buildings. Emerging as a prominent philanthropist, Baysal made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Bolu through his education and health projects in the region.
One of Baysal’s greatest achievements was his contribution to the establishment of Abant İzzet Baysal University (BAİBÜ). He provided critical resources to support the university’s development and promoted academic and scientific research. In addition, he oversaw the construction of numerous hospitals and health centers, significantly improving public access to healthcare services.
İzzet Baysal was awarded a plaque of gratitude by the President of the Republic for his contributions to education and health, and was also honored by the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Health. Due to his contributions and investments in the university, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, by Law No. 3837 dated 03.07.1992, officially named this state university “Abant İzzet Baysal University”.
President Süleyman DEMİREL, at an opening ceremony in Bolu, stated that this university was “the first and only state university supported by a strong foundation,” and emphasized that “this model must be extended throughout the country.”
The Council of Ministers, under Article 2(c) of Law No. 2933 on Medals and Orders, adopted on 24 October 1983, honored Mr. İzzet Baysal on 4 October 1994 with the “State Superior Service Medal of the Republic of Türkiye”.
On 2 May 2006, the İzzet Baysal Foundation became the first foundation to be awarded the Superior Service Award by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.
İzzet Baysal with Turgut Özal (AA)
A bust of İzzet Baysal has been placed in front of some facilities, and a statue has been erected in one of Bolu’s well-known locations. The unveiling of the statue on the university campus took place on 11 May 2001. In this way, he became one of the rare individuals to have a statue erected during his lifetime and the first philanthropist to have two statues in a single city. Within the cultural center of the university bearing his name, a section has been arranged as the İzzet Baysal Museum.
In 1998, the Bolu Municipality named the neighborhood where Behiye Baysal Vocational High School, Behiye Baysal Primary School and Canip Baysal High School are located “İzzet Baysal Neighborhood.” The land for these schools was inherited from the late Behiye Baysal and transferred free of charge to the schools. In 1932, Mr. İzzet Baysal prepared the urban plan for Gerede, and on 21 June 1995, the Gerede Municipal Council, by decision No. 3/18, named the neighborhood where the AİBÜ Gerede Vocational School is located “İzzet Baysal Neighborhood.”
The Board of Directors of the Bolu New Small Industrial Zone, by decision No. 2013/15 dated 14 May 2013, changed the name of the Bolu Small Industrial Zone, which had been in operation since the 1990s, to “İzzet Baysal Industrial Zone.”
In 1990, the Bolu Municipality declared 11 May as “İzzet Baysal Appreciation Day,” and Abant İzzet Baysal University began organizing annual events under the name “İzzet Baysal Days” starting in 1995. Starting in 2002, these events were celebrated as “İzzet Baysal Appreciation Days.” In 2007, under the initiative of the Bolu Governorship, the “İzzet Baysal Appreciation Days Culture, Art and Tourism Festival Guidelines” were prepared and came into effect on 7 November 2008. According to the guidelines, celebrations in a festival atmosphere are held annually on the 11th, 12th and 13th of May.
Since 2006, the “İzzet Baysal Social Responsibility Award” has been presented annually in Bolu to individuals or institutions serving the community in accordance with İzzet Baysal’s philosophy of philanthropy, lifestyle and moral values.
Each year, celebrations are held for a week starting on 11 May. These celebrations are carried out with the participation of the Governorship, Municipality, Abant İzzet Baysal University and all other health, education and civil society organizations.
According to a decision made at a meeting held on 13 May 2012 at the Bolu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, starting in 2013 these celebrations will be organized by the Bolu City Council and will be officially named “İzzet Baysal Appreciation Days.” The Governorship, Municipality, University and other institutions will provide the necessary support. A memorial tomb for İzzet Baysal at his university was approved by the Council of Ministers on 11 November 1995 by decision No. 94/6273.
When asked which of these honors meant the most to him, İzzet Baysal responded: “The love I feel in the eyes of our people and our youth is worth more than all of them.”
After 1975, İzzet Baysal gradually withdrew from active business life but continued to visit his office several days a week to oversee operations. After the death of his second wife, Nafize Hanım, in 1986, he decided to establish a foundation and donated all his assets to it. In 1994, he fully retired from business and devoted himself entirely to the foundation’s activities. İzzet Baysal passed away in March 2000 at the age of 93 and was buried in the memorial tomb at the Gölköy Campus of Abant İzzet Baysal University, in accordance with his own wish and a Council of Ministers decision.
His Family and Educational Life
His Career and Achievements
Awards Received
His Final Years and Foundation
