With science, technology, and social structures advancing day by day, the world needs more qualified individuals who possess the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career anywhere in the world. Aware of this pressing issue, in 1994 the Sabancı Group decided to establish a "world university" led by the Sabancı Foundation. The seeds of Sabancı University, the Sabancı Group's most comprehensive social responsibility project in the field of education, were sown in the summer of 1995, at a search conference in which 50 academics from 22 countries as well as students and representatives from the private sector participated. The conference, however, was just the beginning, as it marked the start of an extensive process during which the leading educational institutions in Turkey and across the world were examined to find out how they work and identify the fundamentals that made them successful. In the end, instead of choosing one university as a template or replicating existing examples and institutions, a new and unique university was designed. Since 1999, when students began enrolling, Sabancı University itself has set an example for many universities.

Located in Orta Mahalle, 34956 Tuzla, İstanbul, Türkiye

Sabancı University has a campus that is away from the hectic life of the city, yet offers everything students may need in their everyday lives. Amenities abound from a performing arts center to a sports hall, convenience store, movie theater, and exercise areas. Among universities in Turkey, Sabancı University has the highest housing capacity as a percentage of its number of students.

Part of the university experience and the setting of many fond memories is the dormitory. The term “dormitory” in Turkey may invoke a vast variety of images in the minds of university graduates depending on their experiences of dorm life and the physical setting of their experience. For us, dormitories are an essential part of proper university education and happy life at university, where friendships are made and where tolerance, sharing, helping others ­–the art of living together in short– is learned. Our housing facilities are designed as homes away from home, where students can gather around for a friendly conversation or study in solitude, all within a family atmosphere. For the convenience of our students, all housing rooms have showers, lockers, and a separate telephone for every student. Students have the opportunity to connect to their private internet line at their desks or use the shared internet connection in the study halls located on every floor to study. When they want to relax, they can visit the common TV rooms on every floor or enjoy refreshments from vending machines. Rooms are built for 2 or 4 students and designed to allow their occupants to study or sleep without outside disturbances – even when there are other occupants in the room. Cleanliness is a priority in housing facilities and dedicated personnel clean all areas in the dormitory. Students can wash their personal items free of charge in the fully automated washing and drying machines located in the laundry rooms, and use the facilities provided for ironing.