Çukurova University (ÇÜ)

Çukurova University (ÇÜ), is a public university established in Adana in 1973. It conducts higher education activities across various campuses, primarily the Balcalı Campus located in the center of Adana.

The academic foundations of Çukurova University trace back to the Faculty of Agriculture, established in 1969 under Ankara University, and the Faculty of Medicine, which began operations in 1972 under Atatürk University. These two academic units were merged under Law No. 1786 dated 30 November 1973, formally establishing the university.

Immediately after its establishment, in 1974, the Faculties of Basic Sciences, Administrative Sciences, and Engineering were launched, increasing the number of faculties to five. In 1982, as part of higher education reforms, the Adana Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences and the Foreign Languages Colleges in Adana, İçel, and Hatay were incorporated into the university. As a result of this restructuring, the Faculty of Basic Sciences became the Faculty of Science and Letters, the Faculty of Administrative Sciences became the Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, and the Faculty of Engineering became the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.

Having become a regional center of education, Çukurova University contributed to the founding of three new universities in 1992 through the separation of some of its units. Mersin University, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, and Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University were established on the basis of faculties, colleges, and research centers transferred from Çukurova University. Following this reduction, the university re-entered a phase of growth beginning in 1993 with the opening of new faculties: Faculty of Aquatic Products, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Communication. In 2007, with the establishment of Osmaniye Korkut Ata University, the units in Osmaniye and Kadirli were transferred to the new institution. In 2012, the university was accredited by the European Commission with the Diploma Supplement Label and continues to offer a broad range of academic programs today.

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The main campus of the university is the Balcalı Campus, located on the shores of the Seyhan Dam Lake. Designed in accordance with the principles of a “Green Campus” and sustainability, the campus houses faculty buildings, a central library, the Medico-Social Center, dormitories, and residential buildings. On-campus dining halls and various social facilities meet students’ nutritional and recreational needs. Additionally, specialized support offices such as the Unit Against Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault are located within the campus. Outside the central campus, there are additional campuses in various districts of Adana housing vocational colleges. ^【1】

• Ceyhan Faculty of Engineering
• Ceyhan Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Science and Letters
• Faculty of Fine Arts
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Communication
• Kozan Faculty of Business
• Faculty of Architecture
• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Sport Sciences
• Faculty of Aquatic Products
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Agriculture

• Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences
• Institute of Natural Sciences
• Institute of Health Sciences
• Institute of Social Sciences

• State Conservatory
• College of Foreign Languages

• Abdi Sütcü Health Services Vocational College
• Adana Vocational College
• Adana Organized Industrial Zone Technical Sciences Vocational College
• Aladağ Vocational College
• Ceyhan Vocational College
• İmamoğlu Vocational College
• Karaisalı Vocational College
• Kozan Vocational College
• Pozantı Vocational College
• Tufanbeyli Vocational College
• Yumurtalık Vocational College

According to 2024 data, Çukurova University has a total of 48,173 registered students. Of these, 11,778 are associate degree students, 30,941 are undergraduate students, and 5,454 are graduate students.^【2】

Admission to the university for associate and undergraduate programs is based on results of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) organized by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Certain units such as the Faculty of Fine Arts, State Conservatory, and Faculty of Sport Sciences admit students through special talent examinations.

Çukurova University offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and associate degree levels.

Within the Faculty of Education, departments include German Language, Computer and Instructional Technologies, Philosophy Group, Science Education, French Language, Primary Mathematics, English Language, Preschool Education, Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Classroom Teaching, Social Studies, and Turkish Language and Literature. The Faculty of Science and Letters offers departments in Archaeology, Computer Science, Biology, Physics, Statistics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology, Turkish Language and Literature, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

In the field of health sciences, in addition to the Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine, the Faculty of Health Sciences provides programs in Nutrition and Dietetics, Midwifery, and Nursing.

In engineering disciplines, departments include Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electrical-Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Mining, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and Textile Engineering. Within the Faculty of Architecture, departments include Interior Architecture, Architecture, and Landscape Architecture. The Faculty of Agriculture includes departments in Horticultural Crops, Plant Protection, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Machinery and Technologies Engineering, Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, Field Crops, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, and Animal Science.

In the fields of Economic and Administrative Sciences and other faculties, departments include Econometrics, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Political Science and International Relations, Journalism, Law, Theology, Communication Sciences, Radio Television and Cinema, Sports Management, Aquatic Products Engineering, and Graphic Design.

In Health Services Vocational Colleges, programs include Oral and Dental Health, Anesthesia, Dental Prosthetic Technology, Physiotherapy, First Aid and Emergency Care, Medical Documentation and Secretarial Services, Medical Imaging Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques, Medical Data Processing Technology, and Elderly Care.

In the field of technical sciences, training is provided in Computer-Aided Design and Animation, Computer Programming, Computer Technology, CNC Programming and Operation, Geographic Information Systems, Natural Gas and Installation Technology, Electricity, Electricity Generation Transmission and Distribution, Electronic Communication Technology, Electronics Technology, Cartography and Cadastre, Heating and Cooling Technology, Construction Technology, Occupational Health and Safety, Laboratory Technology, Mining Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, Underwater Technology, Agricultural Machinery and Textile Technology.

In social and administrative fields, programs include Banking and Insurance, Office Management and Executive Assistance, Child Development, Foreign Trade, Real Estate Management, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Accounting and Tax Applications, Office Technologies and Data Management, Marketing, Radio and Television Programming, Hair Care and Beauty Services, Civil Defense and Firefighting, Tourism and Hotel Management, Tourism and Travel Services, and Local Governance. In the agricultural sector, programs include Hunting and Wildlife, Horticulture, Organic Farming, Forestry and Forest Products, Greenhouse Farming, and Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.

Çukurova University is a partner in the “European University for Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies” (EUPeace) project, supported by the European University Association as part of its internationalization strategy.^【3】 . The university also supports student and academic mobility through Erasmus+, Mevlana, and Farabi exchange programs.

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Çukurova University has achieved the following accomplishments in academic rankings, student projects, and social contributions:

• Sustainability Achievement (GreenMetric): The university ranks 303rd globally and 31st nationally in the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, which evaluates campuses’ environmental sustainability and green space management as of 2024. Since 2019, the university has maintained its position on the list and has also been awarded the “Greenest Office” plaque.^【4】

• Academic Field Ranking (QS): In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, Çukurova University rose to the 201–250 band in the “Agriculture & Forestry” category, sharing the top position in Türkiye with Ankara University in this field.^【5】

• Technology and Vehicle Competitions: The university’s “1.5 Adana” team placed third in Turkey in the “Defense, Space and Aviation” category of the University Student Research Project Competitions held under TEKNOFEST 2025. Additionally, the team has won numerous championships and placements in the Shell Eco-marathon Europe & Africa and TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge electric vehicle competitions between 2014 and 2022. The 1.5 Adana APS Robotics Team placed fourth in the Robolig Competition of Teknofest 2024.^【6】

• Patent Commercialization: The patent for the “Monte Wearable Scooter Safety Equipment,” developed by Associate Professor Dr. Yusuf Kuvvetli from the Department of Industrial Engineering, has been commercialized through private sector collaboration and is recorded as the university’s first commercially licensed patent in this field.^【7】

• Disability-Free University Awards: In recognition of accessibility improvements on campus and services provided to students with disabilities, various units of the university have been awarded the “Orange Flag” by the Higher Education Council (YÖK) under the “Disability-Free University Awards.”^【8】

• Arts and Design Awards: Students from the Faculty of Communication competed in the finals of the 30th Adana Golden Orange Film Festival with their films. Students from the Faculty of Fine Arts won first prizes in both print and weave categories of the GATHİB Fabric Design Competition.^【9】

The Balcalı Campus provides students with academic education as well as social and cultural opportunities. The Central Library offers extensive resource access. Sports facilities include indoor sports halls, swimming pools, football fields, and tennis courts. Accommodation needs are met through dormitories operated by the Credit and Hostels Institution (KYK) and university residences. In addition, students participate in scientific, cultural, and artistic activities through clubs operating under the Medico-Social Center.^【10】