OVER the past three years, Istanbul Ticaret University has continued to strengthen its institutional structure through advancements in strategic planning, quality assurance, academic success, and campus investments. The university is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary in April 2026, and digital data from the end of 2025 highlight a multidimensional development process, spanning education, training, and internationalization.

2025-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN

One of the most significant steps taken in 2025 was the creation of the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which outlines the university’s roadmap for the future. The plan was developed through a study involving both internal and external stakeholders. It came into effect following approval by the Board of Trustees. A Strategic Plan Workshop, the most critical stage of the preparation process, was held at Cemile Sultan Korusu on 27-28 February 2025.

Topics addressed at the workshop included education and training, research and development, internationalization, quality assurance, digital transformation, and institutional sustainability. Following the workshop, the university’s medium- and long-term targets were framed within a comprehensive institutional strategy.

KEY STEPS IN ACCREDITATION PROCESSES

Accreditation processes in the university’s academic departments saw remarkable growth. While only two departments were accredited in 2023, this number increased to 13 by December 2025. Four departments from the Faculty of Engineering and four from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences received accreditation, while the accreditation process for the Faculty of Communication’s departments continued.The Vocational School’s Computer Program accreditation process began in 2026. With these developments, all departments of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences are now accredited. The final accreditation certificate of 2025 was awarded to the Computer Programming program at the Vocational School.

QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFIED – ONCE AGAIN

Istanbul Ticaret University continued its efforts to maintain quality standards in 2025. The TS EN ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certificate, originally received in 2022, was renewed following an audit in October 2025. Additionally, the university-maintained alignment with international standards in information security through the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management Certificate.

YÖKAK INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION PROCESS

The completion of the on-site evaluation process for the Institutional Accreditation Program (IAP), conducted by the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (YÖKAK), demonstrated Istanbul Ticaret University’s systematic and integrated approach to quality assurance.

This evaluation, covering academic and administrative processes as well as interactions with students, alumni, and external stakeholders, highlighted the university’s efforts in strategic planning, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement, confirming that a culture of quality has been institutionalized.

STUDENT’S FIRST CHOICE

Over the past 25 years, 27,955 students have graduated from Istanbul Ticaret University, and 9,178 students are enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year. Based on Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) placement results, the university achieved an enrollment rate 10% higher than the average for foundation universities.

Istanbul Ticaret University has been the first choice for two out of every three enrolling students. During the 2025 university selection period, 4,565 prospective students visited the campuses and fair stands, while 57 students with rankings of 25,000 or higher enrolled. Website visits increased from 191,999 in 2024 to 304,500 in 2025.

ACADEMIC MOBILITY

The university became a member of the Turkic Universities Union (TURKUNIB), covering seven Turkic states, and joined the ORHUN Exchange Program in the 2024–2025 academic year, making Istanbul Ticaret University one of the first institutions to implement this program.

As part of the program, four academics from Uzbekistan visited as guest lecturers, while Istanbul Ticaret University faculty participated in exchange activities at other Turkic universities. More than 1,200 students from over 80 countries currently study at the university.

In line with its internationalization efforts, the university’s International Office coordinated visits to 11 countries during the first 10 months of 2025.

WE’RE IN BUSINESS APPLICATION

The ‘We’re in Business’ mobile application, launched in November 2025, centralizes multiple student services on a single platform, from course schedules and exam dates to headcounts and turnstile entries.

STRENGTHENING A SOCIAL UNIVERSITY IDENTITY

In 2025, Istanbul Ticaret University’s student communities organized 230 events, while academic and administrative units hosted over 250 local and international events.

In the first 10 months of 2025, the university was mentioned in 847 press agencies, 276 TV news programs, and 4,551 online news sites. The number of the university’s digital screens reached 30 in 2025.

Modernized campuses

Following the reconstruction of the historical Eminönü Campus to its original state, it was reopened as the Ahî Çelebi Eminönü Campus on 11 December 2025. The sports halls at the Sâdâbâd Campus in Sütlüce were expanded from 122 m² to 236 m², and 2,500 student seats were renewed. Two computer labs and two classrooms, each with a capacity of 60 students, were opened at the Hezarfen Campus in Küçükyalı, and 850 student seats were renewed.

World’s most influential scientists list

According to the World’s Most Influential Scientists list published by Stanford University, 12 academics from Istanbul Ticaret University were recognized: five appeared on the “Career Long Impact” list, and seven on the “Annual Impact” list. This represents a significant increase from 2023 and 2024, when only three academics were included. The list highlights the university’s performance in publishing and citation impact.