Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (KAEÜ)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (KAEÜ) is a public university established in Kırşehir on 17 March 2006 by Law No. 5467. The institution derives its name from Ahî Evrân-ı Velî, the founder of the Ahilik Organization who lived in Kırşehir during the 13th century. The university conducts educational and research activities within the province of Kırşehir.

History

The origins of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University trace back to academic units previously affiliated with Gazi University. Higher education in Kırşehir began in 1961 with the establishment of the Kırşehir Male Teachers School. This school was transformed into the Kırşehir Education Institute in 1974–75 and then attached to Gazi University in 1982 as the Kırşehir Education College. This was the first academic unit in the city. The Kırşehir Vocational School was established in 1976 and also attached to Gazi University in 1982.

Subsequently, additional units were established: the Faculty of Education, founded in 1986 and converted into a faculty in 1992; the Faculty of Science and Letters, established in 2001; and the School of Health Sciences, established in 2003. These units were restructured in 2006 as an independent public university under the name Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. In 2016, the university was designated as a pilot university in the fields of Agriculture and Geothermal Energy under the Higher Education Council’s (YÖK) “Mission Differentiation and Specialization Project Focused on Regional Development.”

Campuses

The main campus of the university is the Bağbaşı Campus, located north of the center of Kırşehir city. The Bağbaşı Campus houses educational buildings, laboratories, social facilities, a library, and student dormitories. In addition, the university’s vocational schools continue their educational activities at campuses in the districts of Çiçekdağı, Kaman, and Mucur.

Image of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (Kırşehir Ahi Evran University)

Academic Units

Institutes

• Institute of Natural Sciences
• Institute of Health Sciences
• Institute of Social Sciences

Faculties

• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Science and Letters
• Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
• Neşet Ertaş Faculty of Fine Arts
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Sports Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Agriculture

Schools

• School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Kaman School of Applied Sciences
• School of Foreign Languages

Vocational Schools

• Çiçekdağı Vocational School
• Kaman Vocational School
• Mucur Vocational School
• Mucur Health Services Vocational School
• Health Services Vocational School
• Social Sciences Vocational School
• Technical Sciences Vocational School

Units Directly Under the Rectorate

• Department of Atatürk’s Principles and History of the Turkish Revolution
• Department of Informatics
• Department of Turkish Language

Student Profile

According to the 2024 administrative activity report, the university has 21,381 enrolled students.^【1】 Student admissions are conducted through the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS), held nationwide for high school graduates. Students are placed centrally based on their results in the Basic Eligibility Test (TYT) and Field Eligibility Tests (AYT).

Programs

The university offers undergraduate and associate degree programs across its various academic units.

Undergraduate Programs

Faculty of Education: Science Teaching, Primary School Mathematics Teaching, Preschool Teaching, Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Classroom Teaching, Social Studies Teaching, Turkish Language Teaching.

Faculty of Science and Letters: Anthropology, Archaeology, Geography, Philosophy, Mathematics, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Sociology, History, Turkish Language and Literature.

Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences: Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Political Science and Public Administration, International Relations.

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture: Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.

Faculty of Health Sciences / School: Child Development, Midwifery, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Nursing.

Faculty of Agriculture: Horticultural Crops, Plant Protection, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Biotechnology, Field Crops, Animal Science.

Associate Degree Programs

Health Field: Electroneurophysiology, Physiotherapy, First Aid and Emergency Care, Opticianry, Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services, Medical Imaging Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques, Elderly Care.

Technical Fields: Smart Infrastructure Technology, Smart Greenhouse Technologies, Computer Programming, Electrical Engineering, Construction Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Renewable Energy Technology.

Image of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University (Kırşehir Ahi Evran University)

International Activities

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University implements international and national exchange programs such as Erasmus+, Mevlana, and Farabi to promote student and staff mobility. Students wishing to participate in these programs must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Not be in their final academic year of study

• Have a bilateral agreement between the relevant department and a partner institution abroad

• Maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.20/4.00 for faculties and vocational schools and 2.50/4.00 for institutes

In student selection, academic performance (GPA) accounts for 50% and foreign language proficiency accounts for 50%. Financial support provided under the program varies according to the destination country and is intended to assist students with their living expenses.

Awards and Achievements

In 2016, the university was selected by YÖK as a pilot university in the fields of Agriculture and Geothermal Energy under the “Mission Differentiation and Specialization Project Focused on Regional Development.” Academic staff are recognized annually through the Academic Achievement Award Ceremonies with various science incentive awards and young scientist awards.^【2】 The university’s Ahi-Based Education Project (AYDEP) has been granted a patent by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.^【3】

2024 Academic Achievement Awards: At the ceremony held on 19 March 2025, the following academic staff were recognized for their achievements in 2024.

Ministry of Industry and Technology Productivity Project Award: The university’s “Integrated Quality Management System Software” (BKYS) received second place at the 8th Productivity Project Awards organized by the General Directorate of Strategic Research and Productivity of the Ministry of Industry and Technology. The software was recognized for its ability to logically plan, track, and evidence-based management of business processes and its contribution to institutional productivity. The software has also been registered with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and is now in use at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Yozgat Bozok University, Kayseri University, and Muş Alparslan University.^【4】

Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 Impact Rankings: According to the 2024 Impact Rankings by Times Higher Education (THE), which assess universities based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and institutional data, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University is ranked among the 2,152 institutions evaluated globally. The university’s rankings according to the SDGs are as follows:

Student Life

The Bağbaşı Campus provides students with access to a library, sports facilities, dining halls, and dormitories. The Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, which utilizes geothermal resources, offers practical training opportunities for students in relevant programs. Student organizations organize events to support academic and social development.