Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University is a public university located in the city of Rize in the Black Sea region of Türkiye. The institution was established in 2006 under the name Rize University and adopted its current identity in 2012 when it was renamed after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

History

Although Rize’s dream of having a university became a reality in 2006, the roots of this journey extend back to the 1950s, beginning with the establishment of the Rize Vocational School. Institutionalization of higher education in the region began in 1992 with the opening of faculties and vocational schools affiliated with Karadeniz Technical University.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University. (

Academic Structure

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University comprises a total of 49 academic units, including one institute, 15 faculties, three vocational schools, six applied science vocational schools, 18 research and application centers, and six units directly under the Rectorate. The university employs over 1,200 academic staff, including more than 500 faculty members, and has a student population exceeding 17,000.

Faculties

1. Ardeşen Faculty of Tourism
2. Faculty of Dentistry
3. Faculty of Pharmacy
4. Faculty of Education
5. Faculty of Arts and Sciences
6. Faculty of Law
7. Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
8. Faculty of Theology
9. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
10. Faculty of Health Sciences
11. Faculty of Sports Sciences
12. Faculty of Aquatic Products
13. Faculty of Medicine
14. Turgut Kıran Faculty of Maritime Studies
15. Faculty of Agriculture

Institutes

1. Institute of Graduate Education

Vocational Schools

1. Fındıklı Applied Sciences Vocational School
2. Güneysu School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
3. School of Foreign Languages

Applied Science Vocational Schools

1. Justice Applied Science Vocational School
2. Ardeşen Applied Science Vocational School
3. Pazar Applied Science Vocational School
4. Health Services Applied Science Vocational School
5. Social Sciences Applied Science Vocational School
6. Technical Sciences Applied Science Vocational School

Campus

The university’s campuses are primarily located in the city center of Rize, with additional faculties and vocational schools spread across districts. The main campus, Zihni Derin Campus, is equipped with modern educational buildings, laboratories, social facilities, a library, and sports infrastructure. The library collection, supported by digital databases and periodicals, provides essential resources for the research activities of students and academics.

Student Life and Projects

The university offers education at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University is open to both national and international students and collaborates with institutions in numerous countries through student exchange programs such as Erasmus+ and Mevlana. It maintains academic partnerships with universities across Europe and Central Asia. As an active participant in TÜBİTAK and European Union projects, the institution is recognized for fostering the scientific productivity of its faculty. Research activities in tea cultivation, marine biology, and health sciences reflect thematic priorities aligned with regional needs.

RTEÜ Promotion Video. (