Siirt University, founded in 2007 in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye, is a public institution dedicated to higher education, research, and regional development. It focuses on academic programs, research initiatives, and community engagement and operates through multiple faculties, vocational schools, and research centers while maintaining facilities for student and academic support.
Aerial View of Siirt University (Anadolu Agency)
Historical Development
The origins of Siirt University date back to 1976, when the Siirt Education Institute was established, a two-year teacher training program affiliated with Dicle University. In 1982, national higher education reforms led to the establishment the Siirt Vocational School for technical and vocational education. The Faculty of Education, founded in 1992, expanded undergraduate offerings. These developments provided the foundation for Siirt University’s establishment as an independent institution under Law No. 5662 in 2007. The university has since contributed to education, research, and regional development.
Administrative Structure
The rectorate manages the university’s academic and administrative functions. Prof. Dr. Recep Ziyadanoğulları, the first rector, developed the initial infrastructure. Prof. Dr. Murat Erman, his successor, expanded partnerships and research efforts. Since 2020, Prof. Dr. Nihat Şındak has served as rector, emphasizing academic standards and community contributions. The rectorate ensures alignment with national and international educational frameworks.
Academic Organization
Siirt University includes 10 faculties, 4 vocational schools, 3 schools, 3 institutes, and 19 research and application centers, offering programs across diverse disciplines. It enrolls 19,556 students: 6,713 in associate degree programs, 11,263 in undergraduate programs, and 1,580 in graduate programs. The academic staff comprises 97 professors, 101 associate professors, 253 assistant professors, 245 lecturers, and 161 research assistants. Facilities such as laboratories, practice areas, and technology-equipped classrooms support applied learning.
Faculties and Departments
- Faculty of Education: Mathematics Education, Science Education, Turkish Language Education, Primary Education, English Language Education
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences: History, Turkish Language and Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Architecture
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences: Economics, Business Administration, Political Science and Public Administration, International Relations
- Faculty of Theology: Islamic Sciences, Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Faculty of Agriculture: Horticulture, Plant Protection, Animal Science, Agricultural Biotechnology
- Faculty of Fine Arts: Painting, Music, Traditional Turkish Arts
- Faculty of Health Sciences: Nursing, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Health Management
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine: Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty of Sports Sciences: Physical Education and Sports Teaching, Sports Management
Library and Information Resources
The Prof. Dr. İhsan Süreyya Sırma Central Library supports academic and research activities with over 60,000 printed books, 34,000 e-books, and access to journals, theses, and encyclopedias. Databases including YÖK National Thesis Center, EBSCO, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and IEEE Xplore are available on-campus and remotely. The library provides training on database use and academic writing, with facilities such as reading rooms, group study areas, and computer labs.
Research and Development
Siirt University conducts research in collaboration with organizations like TÜBİTAK, the European Union, and regional development agencies. Research areas include agriculture, veterinary medicine, energy, health, and education, addressing academic and societal needs. The university’s 19 research centers and laboratories facilitate these efforts.
Student Exchange Programs
Siirt University participates in national and international student and academic staff mobility through three primary exchange programs: Erasmus+, Mevlana, and Farabi. These programs aim to support academic and professional development by providing opportunities to engage in different educational environments.
Erasmus+ Program
The Erasmus+ Program enables students enrolled in associate, undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral programs to take part in study or internship mobility abroad for a period of up to 12 months. Study mobility is conducted at partner institutions under bilateral agreements, while internship placements may be arranged independently or through opportunities facilitated by the university at international organizations. Students seeking to participate must apply through the university’s International Relations Office – Erasmus+ Coordination Unit, which provides guidance on application procedures and requirements.
Mevlana Exchange Program
The Mevlana Exchange Program supports academic mobility between Turkish higher education institutions and universities in other countries without geographical limitations. Students may engage in study mobility for one or two semesters, while faculty members may participate in teaching activities at partner institutions for periods ranging from one week to three months. International students and faculty members may also come to Siirt University under this program. Participants continue to receive any existing scholarships or loans from their home institutions and are exempt from paying tuition at the host institution. Student bursaries vary according to the economic conditions of the host country and may be up to three times the standard monthly national scholarship for undergraduate students, as determined by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Seventy percent of the bursary is paid monthly during the exchange period, while the remaining portion is calculated based on academic success, specifically the ratio of successfully completed credits to total enrolled credits. Students who meet program eligibility criteria but do not receive financial support may still participate using personal funds or private scholarships. Minimum GPA requirements are 2.5/4.0 for associate and undergraduate students and 3.0/4.0 for master’s and doctoral students. Evaluation is based on a combined score of 50% academic performance and 50% language proficiency.
Farabi Exchange Program
The Farabi Exchange Program promotes student and academic staff mobility among Turkish universities and institutes of higher technology. It is open to students at the associate, undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels for one or two semesters. The program offers non-repayable financial support for students and additional remuneration for teaching staff. Eligibility criteria include a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0 (or 53.33/100), no previous participation in the Farabi Program at the same academic level, and no withdrawal from a prior Farabi application unless justified by health-related reasons. Siirt University maintains agreements with multiple higher education institutions in Türkiye, including Abant İzzet Baysal University, Ankara University, Hacettepe University, and İstanbul University.
Accommodation Facilities
Student housing at Siirt University includes dormitories operated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports within the Kezer Campus, available to both male and female students and managed under the Higher Education Credit and Dormitory Agency. Additionally, private dormitories and rental apartments are accessible within the city. In district-based vocational schools, university-managed dormitories are administered by the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports. For example, Eruh Vocational School has a dormitory with a capacity of 150 students. Campus cafeterias provide daily meals consisting of four options, aiming to meet students’ nutritional needs at affordable prices. Canteens across university units offer additional food and beverage options.
Social and Cultural Facilities
The university offers sports halls, indoor and outdoor sports areas, walking paths, and spaces for cultural activities. Student clubs enable participation in social, cultural, and volunteer initiatives. Events, including lectures, performances, and exhibitions, are held regularly to support student engagement.
Institutional Objectives
Vision: To be a recognized university nationally and internationally, fostering critical thinking and global perspectives.
Mission: To advance knowledge through research, provide quality education, and contribute to societal development.
The university adheres to principles of participation, ethical conduct, environmental responsibility, transparency, accountability, and industry collaboration.
