Gebze Technical University

Gebze Technical University (Turkish: Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi (GTÜ)), formerly known as Gebze Institute of Technology (GIT), is one of two institutes of technology in Turkey, the other being İzmir Institute of Technology. Located in Gebze, one of the most industrialized regions of the Marmara Region, the university focuses on undergraduate and graduate studies as well as research activities.

Gebze Technical University holds the designation of "research university" a title awarded by the Council of Higher Education in recognition of its academic output and contributions to research and development.

History

Gebze Technical University was originally founded in 1992 as Gebze Institute of Technology (GIT). It was officially restructured and renamed Gebze Technical University on November 4, 2014, by a decree of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. GTU builds upon the 22-year legacy and experience of GIT, continuing its mission in higher education and research.

Although a relatively new institution, Gebze Technical University (GTU) has ranked 15th among all universities in Turkey and 5th among universities without a faculty of medicine.

The institute initially began offering graduate-level education in 1994 through four faculties. In 2001, it expanded to include undergraduate programs in the departments of Physics, Mathematics, Materials Science and Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electronics Engineering. Since then, Gebze Technical University has continued to grow, adding new institutes, faculties, and departments. The most recent addition is the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, established in 2021. All academic programs are supported by 30% English-medium instruction.

Campus

Gebze Technical University operates on a single campus, the Çayırova Campus. Located 10 kilometers from the Gebze city center toward Istanbul, the campus spans an area of 1,400,000 m². The Çayırova Campus houses the rector's office, administrative bodies, the library, and facilities for all undergraduate and select graduate programs. As of 2024, the Çayırova Campus consists of 65 buildings.

The campus is notably divided into two distinct areas with differing climates. The northern side, referred to as the "forest side" by students, is characterized by its dense tree cover and cooler environment. In contrast, the southern side, known as the "desert side," is drier and lacks significant vegetation. The Marmaray Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi train station is situated between these two areas, providing convenient access for commuters.

The main entrance to the campus is located on the northern side, approximately 500 meters from a bus stop that facilitates transportation within Kocaeli. The bus stop also serves as the entry point to the Marmaray train station, further enhancing the connectivity of the university to surrounding regions.

Organisation

Institutes: Energy Technologies Institute, Institute of Biology, Institute of Nanotechnology, Institute of Earth and Marine Sciences, Institute of Information Technologies

Faculty of Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Molecular Biology and Genetics

Faculty of Engineering: Computer Engineering, Bioengineering, Environmental Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geomatics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering

• Faculty of Architecture: Architecture, City and Regional Planning, Industrial Design
• Faculty of Aerospace Engineering: Aeronautical Engineering
• Faculty of Business Administration: Department of Economics, Department of Management, Science of Strategy, Management Information Systems
• Cyber Security Vocational School: Cyber Security Analyst and Operator
• Departments Under Rectorate: Physical Education and Sports, Turkish Language Preparatory Department, Foreign Languages

Facilities

Library

The GTU Library, officially named the Prof. Dr. Nejat Göyünç Library, is a three-floor facility located on the southern side of the Çayırova Campus. Covering an area of 4,177 square meters, the library has the capacity to accommodate 560 visitors. The library holds a collection of over 20,000 books and more than 6,000 published theses. It also provides access to over 300,000 eBooks, more than 75,000 electronic publications, and over 60 external databases. These extensive resources make the library an essential academic center for supporting the research and learning needs of the university community.

Laboratories

GTU includes over 100 research and teaching laboratories located on both the northern and southern sides of its campus. Each major department is equipped with its own computer network and laboratories for student use. Public computer laboratories are also available on weekdays and weekends.

Dining Halls

Gebze Technical University (GTU) provides two student dining halls and a personnel dining hall on campus. While the personnel dining hall is primarily intended for university staff, students are also permitted to dine there. One student dining hall is situated behind the Architecture Department building on the northern side of the campus. The second student dining hall is located on the -1st floor of the Environmental Engineering and Chemistry building on the southern side of the campus. The personnel dining hall is positioned behind the Student Affairs building, near the Rectorate building, on the northern side of the campus. As of the 2024–2025 academic year, the cost of a dining hall meal for undergraduate students is set at 25 Turkish Lira.

Sports Complex

The GTU Sports Complex, officially known as the Ahmet Ayhan Closed Sports Hall, is situated near the Chemical Engineering building on the southern side of the campus. The complex hosts basketball and volleyball games, as well as robotic events. Additionally, it features a fitness area for personal exercise in which the cost to use it per seance is between 67,50-250 Turkish Lira.

GTU Congress and Culture Center

The GTU Congress and Culture Center, commonly referred to as the Congress Center, officially opened on February 2, 2020. The facility serves as a venue for various events, including conferences, seminars, concerts, international meetings, and academic ceremonies such as the opening of the new academic year. It is located at the northernmost part of the campus, north of the Material Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering buildings, and near the D.100 state road.

Campus Life

GTU has several active student societies, including:

• Astronomy and Physics Society
• IEEE Student Branch
• IT Club
• Music Society
• Photography and Drawing Society
• Robot Society
• Sport Society
• 1907 UNIFEB GTÜ
• Dance Club
• Nature Sports and Climbing
• GTU Rowing Crew
• UltrAslan GTÜ
• UNIBJK GTÜ
• Theater Club
• International Students Club

Transportation

Gebze Technical University offers multiple transportation options, making it one of the most accessible universities in Turkey. The Marmaray Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi-Fatih train station, named after the university and the place it is in, is located between the two sides of the campus, providing a direct connection to Istanbul and the surrounding areas.

Approximately 500 meters to the left of the university's main entrance, there is a bus stop serving various routes across Kocaeli Province. The buses available include G1, 430, 435MR, 440, 490, 490E, 502, 503, 504, 525, 530, 552, 558, 559, 560, and 700. Notably, routes 490 and 490E provide direct access to the Muallimköy dormitory, which is jointly operated by the university and the Credit and Dormitories Institution. These transportation options make the campus easily reachable for students and staff from both Istanbul and Kocaeli.

Notable alumni

İdris Güllüce — Turkish civil engineer, politician for the Justice and Development Party (Turkey) and former Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change

Hasan Turan — Turkish politician and former member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

Эх сурвалж: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)