Balıkesir University () is a public university in Balıkesir, Turkey. It was established in 1992.
History The roots of Balikesir University date back to Karesi Teacher Training School, which was established in 1910. Balikesir State Engineering Academy, Balikesir Management and Tourism Vocational School and Balikesir Vocational School started educational facilities in 1975-1976 and this marked an important step for the establishment of the university. These establishments changed their names and status and they were made to continue their educational facilities under the name of Uludag University in 1982 with the decree law numbered 41. Necati Education Institute became a four-year “High Teacher Training School” in 1981 and then in 1982, this institution was renamed Necatibey Education Faculty.
In the same way, the name of Balikesir Business Administration and Hotel Management Vocational School was changed as Balikesir School of Tourism and Hotel Management and the name of two–year Balikesir Vocational School remained the same. These institutions, which operated under the name of Uludağ University for ten years, have established a firm infrastructure for Balikesir University through a healthy and stable development. Balikesir University was established in accordance with the law dated 11 June 1992, numbered 3837 published in official journal numbered 21281. Since January 1, 1993, Balikesir University has maintained its activities.
After the legal establishment of Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University in 2015, the Faculties of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Maritime Studies, Health Sciences in Bandırma, the Gönen Geothermic Institute and the vocational schools in Bandırma, Erdek, Manyas and Gönen were transferred from Balıkesir University to the Bandırma 17 Eylül University.
Academic Awards The paper titled “A Comparative Analysis of Designing Gastronomic Experiences With Artificial Intelligence”, presented by Balıkesir University academics and students, received the Best Paper Award at the 12th International CEO Social Sciences Congress, held on 6–7 December 2025 in Karachi, Pakistan.
Campuses
Çağış Campus The units listed below are on the main Çağış Campus on the outskirts of the city. Buses and minibuses provide regular services to Çağış Campus from the city center between the hours 07:00 and 23:00.
Rectorate building, with administrative departments Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Architecture Faculty of Science and Letters Faculty of Tourism Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Law Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Balıkesir Vocational School Central Library Main Sports Hall Graduate School of Science and Technology Graduate School of Social Sciences Graduate School of Health Sciences
NEF Campus NEF Campus, in the center of the town, was the original site of the university. These units are on this campus: Necatibey Faculty of Education Faculty of Sports Sciences NEF Conference Hall Halil İnalcık Conference Hall Sports Hall University Fitness Center Outdoor sports facilities Continuing Education Center (BAUSEM)
Academic Units
Faculties Balıkesir University comprises 14 faculties: Burhaniye Faculty of Applied Sciences (Burhaniye Uygulamalı Bilimler Fakültesi) Faculty of Science and Letters (Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi) Faculty of Fine Arts (Güzel Sanatlar Fakültesi) Faculty of Law (Hukuk Fakültesi) Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences (İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi) Faculty of Theology (İlahiyat Fakültesi) Faculty of Architecture (Mimarlık Fakültesi) Faculty of Engineering (Mühendislik Fakültesi) Necatibey Faculty of Education (Necatibey Eğitim Fakültesi) Faculty of Health Sciences (Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi) Faculty of Sports Sciences (Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi) Faculty of Medicine (Tıp Fakültesi) Faculty of Tourism (Turizm Fakültesi) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Veteriner Fakültesi)
Graduate Institutes Edremit Olive Research Institute (Edremit Zeytincilik Enstitüsü) Institute of Science and Technology (Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü) Institute of Health Sciences (Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü) Institute of Social Sciences (Sosyal Bilimleri Enstitüsü)
Schools Edremit School of Civil Aviation (Edremit Sivil Havacılık Yüksekokulu) School of Foreign Languages (Yabancı Diller Yüksekokulu)
Vocational Schools Altınoluk Vocational School Ayvalık Vocational School Balıkesir Vocational School Bigadiç Vocational School Burhaniye Vocational School Dursunbey Vocational School Edremit Vocational School Havran Vocational School İvrindi Health Services Vocational School Kepsut Vocational School Savaştepe Vocational School Sındırgı Vocational School Susurluk Agriculture and Forestry Vocational School
Rectors 1992–1994: Prof. Dr. Asım Yücel 1994–1998: Prof. Dr. Aydın Okcu 1998–2006: Prof. Dr. Necdet Hacıoğlu 2006–2010: Prof. Dr. Şerif Saylan 2010–2014: Prof. Dr. Mahir Alkan 2014–2018: Prof. Dr. Kerim Özdemir 2018–2023: Prof. Dr. İlter Kuş 2023–present: Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu
Student Societies Balıkesir University hosts active student societies covering cultural, scientific, artistic, sports, and social responsibility fields, with a total membership exceeding 11,500 students.
Society Name (English) Original Name (Turkish) Active Members Aikido Society AİKİDO TOPLULUĞU 128 Academic Law Society AKADEMİK HUKUK TOPLULUĞU 231 Mind and Intelligence Games Society AKIL ve ZEKA OYUNLARI TOPLULUĞU 379 Anatomy Society ANATOMİ TOPLULUĞU 126 Kemalist Thought Society ATATÜRKÇÜ DÜŞÜNCE TOPLULUĞU 266 European Medical Students' Association (EMSA) AVRUPA TIP ÖĞR.BİRLİĞİ TOPLULUĞU 20 BAUN OBİDEV Society BAUN OBİDEV TOPLULUĞU 323 Science, Social Solidarity and Synergy Society BİLİM, TOPLUMSAL DAYANIŞMA ve SİNERJİ TOP. 20 Women in Science Society BİLİMDE KADINLAR TOPLULUĞU 109 Cycling Society BİSİKLET TOPLULUĞU 187 Stock Market and Investment Society BORSA ve YATIRIM TOPLULUĞU 184 Children's Rights and Diplomacy Society ÇOCUK HAKLARI VE DİPLOMASİ TOPLULUĞU 138 Design and Drama in Early Childhood Education Society ÇOCUK EĞİTİMİNDE TASARIM VE DRAMA TOPLULUĞU 20 Mountaineering and Winter Sports Society DAĞCILIK ve KIŞ SPORLARI TOPLULUĞU 497 Combatting Disinformation Society DEZENFORMASYONLA MÜCADELE TOPLULUĞU 20 Literature, Books and Debate Society EDEBİYAT, KİTAP ve MÜNAZARA TOPLULUĞU 211 Electrical and Computer Systems Society ELEKTRİK, BİLGİSAYAR SİSTEMLERİ TOPLULUĞU 307 Industrial Sciences and Technology Society ENDÜSTRİ BİLİMLERİ ve TEKNOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 104 Early Childhood Education Society ERKEN ÇOCUKLUK EĞİTİMİ TOPLULUĞU 210 Film Review and Production Society FİLM İNCELEME ve YAPIM TOPLULUĞU 25 Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Society FİZYOTERAPİ ve REHABİLİTASYON TOPLULUĞU 80 Gastronomy Society GASTRONOMİ TOPLULUĞU 172 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Society GELENEKSEL ve TAMAMLAYICI TIP TOPLULUĞU 27 Future Educators Society GELECEĞİN EĞİTİMCİLERİ TOPLULUĞU 20 Youth, Women and Family Society GENÇLİK, KADIN ve AİLE TOPLULUĞU 163 Young Red Crescent Society GENÇ KIZILAY TOPLULUĞU 75 Young TEMA Society GENÇ TEMA TOPLULUĞU 174 Young Vision Society GENÇ VİZYON TOPLULUĞU 20 Young Entrepreneurs Society GENÇ GİRİŞİMCİLER TOPLULUĞU 20 Young Doctors of the World Society GENÇ YERYÜZÜ DOKTORLARI TOPLULUĞU 27 Genetics Research Society GENETİK ARAŞTIRMA TOPLULUĞU 196 Food Innovation and Technology Society GIDA İNOVASYON ve TEKNOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 38 Visual Arts Society GÖRSEL SANATLAR TOPLULUĞU 185 Public Health Society HALK SAĞLIĞI TOPLULUĞU 0 Folk Dance Society HALKOYUNLARI TOPLULUĞU 240 Touching Lives Society HAYATA DOKUNANLAR TOPLULUĞU 20 Animal and Nature Protection Society HAYVANLARI VE DOĞAYI KORUMA TOPLULUĞU 167 Accessible Education for All Society HERKES İÇİN ENGELSİZ EĞİTİM TOPLULUĞU 196 Sports for All Society HERKES İÇİN SPOR TOPLULUĞU 345 Communication and Young Executives Society İLETİŞİM VE GENÇ YÖNETİCİLER TOPLULUĞU 145 Knowledge and Civilization Society İLİM ve MEDENİYET TOPLULUĞU 70 Scientific Discussion Society İLMİ MÜZAKERE TOPLULUĞU 58 English Speaking Society İNGİLİZCE KONUŞMA TOPLULUĞU 158 Humanity and Civilization Society İNSANLIK VE MEDENİYET TOPLULUĞU 20 Innovation and Technology Society İNOVASYON ve TEKNOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 52 Future of Goodness Society İYİLİĞİN GELECEĞİ TOPLULUĞU 20 Women and Life Society KADIN ve YAŞAM TOPLULUĞU 339 Quality Ambassadors Society KALİTE ELÇİLERİ TOPLULUĞU 20 American Football Society KORUMALI FUTBOL TOPLULUĞU 115 Gulf Vocational Colleges Society KÖRFEZ YÜKSEKOKULLAR TOPLULUĞU 21 Birdwatching and Nature Society KUŞ GÖZLEM ve DOĞA TOPLULUĞU 22 Kuva-yi Milliye Society KUVAYİ MİLLİYE TOPLULUĞU 94 Cultural Ambassadors Society KÜLTÜR ELÇİLERİ TOPLULUĞU 20 Library Society KÜTÜPHANE TOPLULUĞU 373 Latin Dances Society LATİN DANSLARI TOPLULUĞU 244 LÖSEV Society LÖSEV TOPLULUĞU 143 Spiritual and Psychological Counseling Society MANEVİ-PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMA TOPLULUĞU 54 Mathematics Society MATEMATİK TOPLULUĞU 45 National Revival Society MİLLİ DİRİLİŞ TOPLULUĞU 91 National Will Society MİLLİ İRADE TOPLULUĞU 73 National Ideal Society MİLLİ MEFKURE TOPLULUĞU 20 National Defense and Technology Society MİLLİ SAVUNMA ve TEKNOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 94 Architecture and Design Society MİMARLIK VE TASARIM TOPLULUĞU 45 Misya Aviation and Space Technologies Society MİSYA HAVACILIK ve UZAY TEKN. TOPLULUĞU 42 Motorsports Society MOTOR SPORLARI TOPLULUĞU 44 Music Society MÜZİK TOPLULUĞU 316 Ombudsmanship Society OMBUDSMANLIK TOPLULUĞU 70 Forestry and Nature Research Society ORMAN VE DOĞA ARAŞTIRMALARI TOPLULUĞU 20 Psychiatry Society PSİKİYATRİ TOPLULUĞU 42 Psychology Society PSİKOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 108 Psychological Counseling and Guidance Society PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMANLIK ve REHBERLİK TOP. 198 Radio and Communication Society RADYO ve İLETİŞİM TOPLULUĞU 30 Robotics Society ROBOT TOPLULUĞU 39 Health Academy Society SAĞLIK AKADEMİSİ TOPLULUĞU 29 Health Ambassadors Society SAĞLIK ELÇİLERİ TOPLULUĞU 20 Healthy Living Society SAĞLIKLI YAŞAM TOPLULUĞU 41 Healthcare Innovation Society SAĞLIKTA İNOVASYON TOPLULUĞU 20 Chess Society SATRANÇ TOPLULUĞU 117 Political Science, Management and Futurism Society SİYASET YÖNETİMİ ve FÜTÜRİZM TOPLULUĞU 109 Sociology Society SOSYOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 0 Underwater Sports Society SUALTI SPORLARI TOPLULUĞU 124 TEKNOFEST Society TEKNOFEST TOPLULUĞU 20 Medical Faculty Scientific Research Society TIP FAKÜLTESİ BİLİMSEL ARAŞTIRMA TOP. 75 Theatre Society TİYATRO TOPLULUĞU 323 Community Volunteers Society TOPLUM GÖNÜLLÜLERİ TOPLULUĞU 0 Turkish Medical Students' Association (TurkMSIC) TÜRK TIP ÖĞRENCİLERİ BİRLİĞİ TOPLULUĞU 47 Türk Yurdu Society TÜRK YURDU TOPLULUĞU 496 International Information and Technology Society ULUSLARARASI BİLGİ ve TEKNOLOJİ TOPLULUĞU 280 IEEE Student Branch Society ULUSLARARASI ELEKTRİK ELEKTRONİK MÜH. TOP. 312 International Student Society ULUSLARARASI ÖĞRENCİ TOPLULUĞU 82 Active University Youth Society ÜNİVERSİTELİ AKTİF GENÇLER TOPLULUĞU 0 AI Literacy Society YAPAY ZEKA OKURYAZARLIĞI TOPLULUĞU 20 AI and Data Science Society YAPAY ZEKA VE VERİ BİLİMİ TOPLULUĞU 20 Lifelong Development Society YAŞAM BOYU GELİŞİM TOPLULUĞU 132 Creative Writing and Applied Literature Society YARATICI YAZARLIK ve UYGULAMALI EDEBİYAT TOP. 123 Yeniler Society YENİLER TOPLULUĞU 26 Green Crescent Society YEŞİLAY TOPLULUĞU 55 Yörük Turkmen Culture Research Society YÖRÜK TÜRKMEN KÜLTÜRÜNÜ ARAŞTIRMA TOP. 173 Total Active Members 11,559
Notable alumni Yasemin Adar, Turkish female freestyle wrestler Tuna Aktürk, ex Vice-Mayor of Balıkesir Mayority and Balıkesirspor President Halil İnalcık, Historian of Ottoman Empire Muharrem İnce, Member of Turkish Parliament Gülşah Kocatürk, Turkish female judoka İsmail Özgün, Turkish politician Ümit Sonkol, Türk Telekom B.K. basketball player
References
Balıkesir University
External links Balıkesir University(In Turkish) Balıkesir University