Okan University, one of the youngest and the most dynamic universities of Turkey, was founded by Okan Culture, Education, and Sports Foundation in 1999 and began its academic life in 2003-2004. Istanbul Okan University, growing rapidly, has reached a student body of 17000 and comprises 8 faculties at its 15th year.

True to its motto, “The University Closest to Business Life,” Istanbul Okan University effectively combines theory and practice by employing academic staff who are experts in their own fields, adopting a contemporary approach to education, and focussing upon practice-oriented studies which prepare the students for business life, starting from students’ very first year of study.

Istanbul Okan University aims to build a bridge between the academic and the business world. To this end, the university enables students to work at firms as part of its Preparing for Business Life Program, starting from their freshman year. This program not only helps students to become familiar with business life and improve their knowledge and skills by putting theory into practice, but serves to motivate the students as well. Students who have successfully completed the Preparing for Business Life Program are presented with a participation certificate as well as other work experience certifications added to their diplomas when they graduate.

Istanbul Okan University gives utmost importance to internationalisation. It has numerous full scale and bilateral cooperation agreements with universities all around the world. The University is also taking part in the European and International Exchange Programmes. Istanbul Okan University has been playing an active part in the Erasmus Programme since 2005-2006. It also participates in the ISEP, which is a worldwide student exchange programme.

Istanbul Okan University is also a member of different international cooperation networks, such as EUA, SPACE in Business, ELPIS in Law and ERTICO in Engineering. Being part of the European Higher Education System, Okan University has been awarded the Diploma Supplement Label for 2013-2016 by the European Commission.