History of Istanbul Arel University

Arel College, which was established in the 1990-1991 academic year, continues its educational journey today with Arel Kindergarten, Arel Primary School, Arel Middle School, Arel Anatolian High School, Arel Science High School, and Arel Sports and Culture Complex. In 2007, Arel Educational Institutions added Istanbul Arel University to its 35-year-long educational experience. Istanbul Arel University was founded by the Kemal Gözükara Education and Culture Foundation with the approval of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey through Law No. 2809/5656-Additional 76, published in the Official Gazette on May 18, 2007.

Our university consists of eight faculties: Faculty of Science and Letters, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communication, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Faculty of Medicine. Additionally, it includes the School of Foreign Languages, the Vocational School, and the Graduate Education Institute.

Initially, the university began its educational activities at the Küçükçekmece-Sefaköy Campus. With rapid growth, in 2010, it opened the Tepekent Kemal Gözükara Campus within Büyükçekmece Tepekent Satellite City, covering 52,413 m² of enclosed space and 113,750 m² of open space. Our Cevizlibağ Health Campus began operations in the 2019-2020 academic year, following the decision of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the support of the Gözükara Foundation, which led to the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine on March 14, 2016. This campus spans 14,783 m² of enclosed space and 3,483 m² of open area. Furthermore, there is the ‘Yenibosna Sports and Culture Complex’ in Bahçelievler-Yenibosna, covering 6,795 m² of enclosed space.

The English Preparatory Class and graduate education services continue at our Sefaköy D Block Campus. The Sefaköy Campus in Küçükçekmece, which had a total enclosed area of 8,215 m² and an open area of 52 m², was demolished in 2023 to make way for a new construction project. The new building, designed with technological and modern infrastructure, is expected to be completed for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Seventy fully equipped laboratories, including Areltech, specifically designed for medicine, healthcare, and engineering fields, are prepared to meet all educational needs. These laboratories are updated according to technological advancements, ensuring students are ready for professional life with up-to-date technology.

With 300 smart classrooms and amphitheaters of various capacities, our university serves over 13,000 students and includes:

• ARELTECH: Technology and Engineering Center
• ARELPOTKAM: Polymer Technologies and Composite Application and Research Center
• ARELUZEM: Distance Education Application and Research Center
• ARELUSAM: International Strategic Research Application and Research Center
• ARELMED-I: Artificial Intelligence Studies Application and Research Center
• ARELTTO: Technology Transfer Office
• ARELMEDYA: Communication Center
• ARTIAREL: Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center
• ARELKAM: Career Planning, Application, and Research Center
• ARELDİLMER: Language Application and Research Center
• GENÇAREL: Youth Studies Application and Research Center
• ARELPAM: Psychology Application and Research Center
• ARELPDR: Psychological Counseling and Guidance Application and Research Center
• ARELSEM: Continuing Education Application and Research Center
• ARELFINLAB: Finance Center
• AREL Social Studies Application and Research Center
• ARELAYO: Academic Writing Office
• ARELPRO: University and Business World Education Cooperation Office
• Translation and interpretation technology laboratories
• Molecular biology, genetics, and chemistry laboratories
• Editing, materials, and mechanical laboratories
• Opticianry laboratory and 17 additional laboratories
• A library, conference hall, cafeterias, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, various sports complexes, and student residences integrated with nature

In 2024, our university was accredited by the Higher Education Quality Council. In addition to institutional accreditation, Istanbul Arel University also values program accreditation, and in the same year, three programs within the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences were accredited by the Social, Humanities, and Basic Sciences Accreditation and Rating Association.

Since its foundation in 2007, Istanbul Arel University has continuously expanded its academic programs, faculties, and schools, solidifying its status as a prestigious educational institution within Arel Educational Institutions, from kindergarten to university.