Bilkent University was founded on October 20, 1984 by İhsan Doğramacı, through the joint resolution of İhsan Doğramacı Education Foundation, İhsan Doğramacı Science and Research Foundation and İhsan Doğramacı Health Foundation. The establishment of this private university was later approved by an act of Parliament. The aim was to create a center of excellence in higher education and research. The name “Bilkent”‘ exemplifies the founder’s aim, since it is an acronym of “bilim kenti” in Turkish for “city of science and knowledge.”

Currently there are about 13,000 students in 9 faculties and 2 four-year professional schools. Among them are foreign students from different countries. With funds from the endowments provided by the founder, the university each year awards scholarships to 47% of the student body.

To promote the enrichment of teaching and research programs, Bilkent University entered into collaborative projects and exchange programs with many universities abroad. Bilkent has student exchange agreements with universities from countries such as Australia, Japan, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America.

The faculty is comprised of an academic staff from around 40 different countries. Most of them were working in prominent universities in North America and Europe when they received offers from Bilkent University. According to ISI Citation Indexes, Bilkent ranks high in Turkey and internationally in number of published papers per faculty member.

Bilkent University ranks 28th in Times Higher Education’s 100 Under 50 list of the world’s best young universities.

*Source: http://w3.bilkent.edu.tr/bilkent/historical-background/