Karadeniz Technical University Rector's Invitation to Candidates: "Join the KTÜ Family"

A 71-Year Legacy and Academic Prestige in the Heart of Trabzon Karadeniz Technical University (KTÜ), founded in 1955 as the first university outside Istanbul and Ankara, is now a cornerstone of higher education in Turkey with 71 years of history. Rector Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı emphasized this rich background in his recent message for the 2026 preference period [1]. With over 260,000 graduates and nearly 30,000 students, the university is recognized as an "ecole" or scientific school that has played a vital role in training the country's specialized workforce [3].

KTÜ's Position in National and International Rankings A key point in Dr. Çuvalcı's remarks was the title of "Research University." KTÜ solidified its position by rising to 19th place in Turkey's latest Research University rankings [1]. Furthermore, it is one of only 16 higher education institutions in Turkey to receive a "5-Year Full Accreditation Certificate" from the Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK) [2]. These credentials guarantee high-quality education and research for candidates planning to study in technical, engineering, and social science fields.

Facilities Beyond the Classroom The Rector believes that education at KTÜ is not limited to classrooms. The presence of advanced research laboratories, national TÜBİTAK technology workshops, and entrepreneurship houses provides a suitable platform for realizing youth's dream projects [1]. Additionally, teams active in TEKNOFEST competitions and student exchange programs like Erasmus+ offer unique opportunities for international growth. Moreover, earning the "Sports-Friendly Campus" title demonstrates the importance of health and vitality alongside academic studies [1].

Direct Message from the Rector to the Youth Congratulating candidates who have completed the difficult exam marathon, Prof. Çuvalcı noted that the challenges of this path will become a source of inspiration for solving larger problems in the future. Concluding his message with the slogan "Join the KTÜ Family," he urged young people to become part of this great scientific family where science, technology, and culture grow together through informed choices [1][4]. This call comes as the university recently celebrated the graduation of 2,776 students in the current academic year [3].