Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMÜ) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with events marking half a century of science, education, and culture since its founding on April 1, 1975.
The Samsun Faculty of Medicine, established in 1973 as part of Hacettepe University, formed the foundation of OMÜ. The university was officially established by a law passed by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on April 1, 1975. The Faculty of Science and Engineering was opened in the same year, and educational activities began. The Faculties of Agriculture, Education, and Theology also joined the university in subsequent years.
With regulations that came into effect in 1982, some higher education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education were brought under the umbrella of OMÜ. Growing over the years, the university pioneered the establishment of new universities with the separation of the faculties in Amasya, Ordu, and Sinop. With the establishment of Samsun University in 2018, OMÜ became the center of higher education in the region.
Today, OMÜ continues its education, research, and community service activities with 20 faculties, 1 college, 14 vocational schools, 3 institutes, and 27 application and research centers. Hosting over 52,000 students, the university ranks among the top 5 universities in Turkey in terms of hosting foreign students, with approximately 5,000 international students.
OMÜ is taking significant steps towards its goal of becoming a research university. The university stands out with its city-based collaborative projects, its pioneering role in the field of health, and its joint efforts with industry. The Faculty of Medicine Hospital serves over 1 million patients annually, while the Faculty of Dentistry Hospital treats over 300,000 patients each year. Additionally, OMÜ houses the only center in the Black Sea Region capable of performing live-to-live organ transplants.
The university also plays an active role in technology and innovation, bringing industry and academia together through its Technology Transfer Office and supporting over 200 projects. To date, 350 projects have been completed at Samsun Technopark, with 150 projects still ongoing. OMÜ is also a pioneer in this field in Turkey with its Hemp Research Institute.
The anniversary celebrations continue with various events held throughout the year. On April 7, a wreath was laid at the OMÜ Atatürk Monument. On the same evening, the 50th Anniversary Reception was held at the OMTEL Hotel. The celebrations will continue with the Academy Awards Ceremony on April 24. Under the title “50 Events for the 50th Year,” many activities, ranging from academic panels to concerts, cultural events to spring festivals, bring together OMÜ members and the city.
Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın stated that the university continues its work with the goal of being a leading center in the fields of science, art, and technology. Emphasizing their goal of making progress in areas such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, defense industry, and space technologies, Aydın stated that universities not only produce knowledge but also have a responsibility to commercialize this knowledge.
Aydın stated that knowledge gains meaning when blended with ethics, virtue, and cooperation, emphasizing that OMÜ is not only a higher education institution but also an integral part of Samsun.
