History of Bahçeşehir University 1998 Bahçeşehir University was founded by Uğur Educational Foundation, which was ratified by the Turkish Parliament Law no.4324/January 15,1998, published in the official gazette no: 23234 of February 18, 1998. 1999 Bahçeşehir University signed an agreement with Canada, New Brunswick Ministry of Education, for the development and implementation of the English Program. An agreement of cooperation was signed with San Diego State University. The official opening ceremony took place. Bahçeşehir University Sports and Activity Coordinatorship was established. Office of the Dean of Students was founded. Department of Mathematics & Computer Sciences was opened at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Department of Computer Engineering was opened at the Faculty of Engineering. Department of Business Administration was opened at the Faculty of Business. Department of Political Science & International Relations was opened at the Faculty of Business. Department of Visual Arts & Communication Design was opened at the Faculty of Communication. Departments of Film & Television and Public Relations were opened at the Faculty of Communication. Department of Business Administration was opened at the Vocational School. School of Foreign languages was opened. Department of Capital Markets and Finance was opened at the Institute of Social Sciences. Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Center for Strategic Research (ISTAM) was founded. Research Center for Nobel Prize Nominees (NAM) was founded. Research Center for Informatics and Cyber-technologies (ESTAM) was founded.
2000 Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center was founded. Office of vice-rector for Development, Student Resources Management, and MEP, was founded. General Education Department (GEP) was founded. Department of Computer & Educational Technologies was established at the faculty of Arts and Sciences. Departments of Economics and European Union Relations were opened at the faculty of Business. Department of Advertising was opened at the faculty of Communication. *Department of Computer Technology and Programming was opened at the Vocational School. 2001 Institute of Science was established and Professor Namık Kemal Aras was appointed Director. Professor Zafer Doğan, Dean of the Faculty of Communication was appointed vice-rector for promoting the university. Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Communication Application Center was opened in cooperation with Plato Film. 1st Spring Fest took place. GAP Coordination Center was founded with the colloboration of South-Eastern Anatolia Project Regional Development administration (GAP) and Bahçeşehir University. Institute of Leadership and Public Affairs (ULYAM) was founded. Study Abroad Program Unit (YEP) was founded. Bahçeşehir University, OSS Information Unit was established. EU Research and Documentation Center (ABADAM) was established.
2002 Faculty of Communication, Faculty of Architecture, and the School of English and Informatics started the academic year at Bahçelievler Campus. Institute of Social Sciences, Film and Television graduate program started. Vice-rectorship unit in charge of Student Affairs. Professor Nurbay Gültekin was appointed the vice-rector. Departments of Architecture and Interior Architecture & Environmental Planning were opened at the Faculty of Architecture. Departments of Industrial Engineering Electrical & Electronics Engineering were opened at the Faculty of Engineering. Faculty of Law was established. Information Technologies Graduate Program started at the Institute of Science. Bahçeşehir University Continuous Education Center was opened. 2003 Professor Süheyl Batum was appointed the rector. Computer Engineering and Environmental Planning Graduate Programs were opened at the Institute of Science. Institute for Global Understanding of Rule of Law (IGUL) was founded The first Graduation ceremony took place.
2004 Bahçeşehir University got the Erasmus University Charter and thus officially gained the right to implement the Erasmus Programs. Beşiktaş Campus was opened. Faculty of Business, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Communication,Faculty of Architecture and English Prepary School started the 2004-2005 academic year at Beşiktaş Campus. Career Center was founded. Industrial Engineering, Actuary, Supply Chain and Logistics. Management Graduate Programs were opened at the Institute of Science. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Management, Advanced Acting, European Union Relations, and graduate programs were opened at The Institute of Social Sciences. 2005 Bahçeşehir University Graduates Association was established. English Preparatory School moved to Mecidiyeköy Campus. School of Politics certificate program started at the School of Government and Leadership (HLO). Bahçeşehir University Technology Development Group (BUTEB) was founded. Strategic Research Center started a certificate program titled “A Global Threat: Terrorism”. Office of European and International studies was opened. Fazıl Say Auditorium was opened at Beşiktaş Campus. Corporate Communications Directorate was opened. Departments of Mechatronic Engineering and Software Engineering were opened at the Faculty of Engineering. Departments of Marketing, International Logistics, Office Management and Secretaryship, Import/ Export, Banking and Insurance, and computer based technical Drawing were opened at the Vocational School. Departments of Engineering Management, Architecture, Electrical & Electronics Engineering Graduate Programs were opened at the Institute of Science. Global Business and Marketing, Strategic Marketing and Brand Management, General Management, Information Technologies, Healthcare Management, Education Management, Private Law, Public Law, Marketing Communications and Public Relations, Global Politics and International Relations, International Economics and Development graduate programs were opened. 2006 Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Arts and Sciences moved to Beşiktaş Campus. Departments of American Culture and Literature and Sociology were opened at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Academic Planning Directorate was opened. Landscape Planning and Design Studio Coordinatorship was founded. Community Academy was founded. EU Brussels Information Office was established. American Research Center was founded. Research Center for Black Sea and Caucasian Studies was founded. Legal struggle started against the French Draft bill criminalizing the denial of an alleged Armenian genocide. Faculty of Communication, Acting School Certificate Program started Bahçeşehir University got the authorization to give the diploma supplement developed by the EU Commision and UNESCO/ CEPES. English Preparatory Program abroad started. Research Center for Asia-Pacific Studies was founded. Research Center for Mediterranean Studies was founded. International office Directorate was founded. Education Programs and Teacher Development Unit was founded. Bahçeşehir was given the International Socrates Award. 2007 TV studios were founded. A credit contract for students of the vocational school was signed with Denizbank. 2008 New master programs of Institute of Social sciences Human resources management Marketing Sport management Business enterprise for administrators Attitude study for justice Engineering research and innovation facility opened New associate degree programs of vocational high school Ship and deck management Ship mechanicals International business and trade Mathmatics Endustrial electronic Electronic communication Mechatronics See and harbour management Automotive Electric Business Import-export Computer technologies and programming Banking and insurance trade International logistics Marketing Protocol signed with Hong-Kong/Lingnan University