ABOUT METU/ODTÜ

HISTORY

Middle East Technical University (METU / ODTÜ (Turkish)) is founded under the name of "Orta Doğu Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü" (Middle East High Technology Institute) on November 15th, 1956 to contribute to the development of Turkey and Middle East countries and especially to train people so as to create a skilled workforce in the fields of natural and social sciences. "Arrangements and Procedures as for the Foundation of METU, Law No 6887" was enacted on January 29th, 1957. Finally, "Foundation Act No 7307", which sets forth the particular standing of METU and describes the conditions rendering METU as a juridical entity, was enacted on May 27th, 1959.

Middle East Technical University's presence brought about new methods and introduced innovations to Turkish higher education system manifesting METU as a pioneer of modern education nationwide. In its earliest years, part of METU was located in a small building that belonged Social Security Office of Retirees at Kizilay's Müdafaa Street and the other section was located in the barracks behind the TBMM (Turkey's National Grand Assembly). In 1963, the University moved to its current campus location which is the first university campus of Turkey.

In 1956, the first academic program to start education was the Department of Architecture. Then in spring semester of 1957, Department of Mechanical Engineering launched its academic program. At the onset of 1957-1958 academic year, the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Administrative Sciences were established. In 1959, the tasks undertaken to establish Faculty of Arts and Sciences were completed. Faculty of Education launched its academic program in 1982. Today, there are a total of 43 undergraduate programs in five faculties of METU.

There are 106 graduate and  67 doctorate programs available in Graduate Schools of Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Informatics, Applied Mathematics and Marine Sciences Graduate Schools. Marine Sciences conducts the academic program studies at İçel-Erdemli.

The language of instruction at METU is English. METU School of Foreign Languages takes the initiative to teach English to students at Preparatory School.

Owing to the quality academic education that emphasizes merit and excellence in scientific, cultural and intellectual studies as well as owing to the accomplished and qualified METU graduates, the University has become one of the distinguished and respectable institutions of Turkey. Today, the University is proud to employ about 791 faculty (professors, associates professors etc.), 225 academic instructors and 1.273 research assistants. It is a great pleasure to offer education to over 28.000 students. The total number of the alumni now is above 120.000.

LOCATION & MAP

http://map.metu.edu.tr/

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The METU Campus is located on the Ankara-Eskişehir highway and has been forested entirely through the efforts of the University employees and students since the early 1960's.

The Campus includes Lake Eymir. The lake and its surroundings meet part of the rowing, fishing and picnicking needs of the METU employees and students. The surroundings of Lake Eymir have also been forested through the efforts of the University employees and students. The fresh water for METU is being supplied from the deep wells around Lake Eymir.

TRANSPORTATION

The A1 and A2 entrance gates of METU campus are 7 km away from the city center and they are nearby Eskişehir Highway. There are other entrance gates like A4, which is in the direction of 100. Yıl and A7, which is situated on the Bilkent way. It is possible to reach METU campus by METU district buses, EGO buses, minibuses and taxi. The most convenient of them is EGO buses since their service is most easily accessible and available. The operating hours and routes of some of the buses operating between the campus and various districts of the city are available from the links below:

Within METU campus, taxi service is available using the number 219 51 51 or 285 07 07.

Directorate of Transportation Affairs
Tel : 0 312 210 29 09 - 29 10
Fax : 0 312 210 79 90
Web : http://tim.metu.edu.tr
E-Mail : tiatmmetu.edu.tr/