What is the Turkish-German University in Istanbul all about?

The Turkish-German University in Istanbul is currently the most ambitious project in German-Turkish academic and educational cooperation. In the future, 5,000 students are expected to study and conduct research across five faculties and a language center in Beykoz, Istanbul’s “green lung.” In 2013, the first students enrolled in five degree programs at the temporary campus. Currently, the TGU offers 21 degree programs across five faculties (Law, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Economics and Administrative Sciences, and Cultural and Social Sciences). The newly constructed campus was officially opened on January 24, 2020, in the presence of German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The development of the Turkish-German University is supported by a consortium of 38 German universities, chaired by Prof. Dr. Sabine Kunst. The TGU is a German-Turkish cooperation project: the Turkish side provides the land, buildings, and infrastructure and covers the operating costs. German contributions include the secondment of lecturers and instructors, the development of curricula, materials for establishing a language learning center, grants to supplement local salaries, scholarships, and continuing education programs.

The establishment of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the Turkish-German University is being led by the University of Potsdam in cooperation with partners from several German universities and research institutions in Potsdam, and in close coordination with the founding partners from Turkey. Inspired by the joint establishment of the Turkish-German University, new collaborations are already emerging between Turkish partners and research groups in Potsdam. Increased academic exchange thus serves as a bridge between the two countries.