About

The Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne Campus, is the first medical school built by Sultan Abdülhamid II for the purpose of offering medical education. Its construction began in 1894 and was completed in 1903. The inauguration of the building took place on Friday, November 6, 1903, the birthday of Sultan Abdülhamid II. 

The architectural design of the building, which commenced education under the name Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne, belongs to Alexandre Vallaury and Raimondo D'Aronco, two prominent architects of the era. The building was constructed on a plot of 80,000 square meters, in architectural harmony with the Haydarpaşa Military Hospital and the Selimiye Barracks. It has a rectangular inner courtyard surrounded by corridors on all four sides, with a total construction area of 54,000 square meters.

The Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne served as a Military Medical School between 1903 and 1909, and subsequently also functioned as a civilian medical school from that date onward. The Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne housed a surgery ward within its premises, and with its botanical garden and medicinal plants, it also contributed to the training of pharmacists. The Veterinary School was established in the immediate vicinity of the building. The Haydarpaşa Military Hospital, located across from the building, was connected to the School building through an underground tunnel and rail system, and served as a training hospital for students. The education was provided in German, French, and Turkish and numerous distinguished politicians and scientists graduated from this Medical School.

The Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne, which served as a medical school until 1933, provided education as Haydarpaşa High School between 1933 and 1983. In 1983, it was allocated to Marmara University and served as an educational campus housing the Medical School, among other units. 

The Haydarpaşa Campus, which was allocated to Marmara University, was reassigned to serve under the name Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne for the University of Health Sciences — the FIRST STATE UNIVERSITY established with a HEALTH-THEMED focus — in accordance with Law No. 6639 dated 27.03.2015, which entered into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on April 15, 2015. Our University continues its educational activities at the Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şâhâne (Hamidiye) Campus with its Faculty, Vocational School of Health Sciences, and Institute units. 

Following the coup attempt of July 15, 2016, the Gülhane Military Medical Academy (GATA) was transferred to our University by the Decree Law No. 669, and educational activities were continued without any interruption or disruption. Our University continues its educational activities at the Gülhane (Ankara) Campus with its Faculty, Vocational School of Health Sciences, and Institute units. 

In addition to these, Medical Schools have been established in various provinces across the country, and their educational activities are ongoing. 

Our Medical Schools and Vocational Schools also admit military students to be trained on behalf of and at the expense of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Interior. 

Our University is the only state university authorized to provide educational activities abroad. At the same time, it proudly represents our country abroad, bearing the distinction of being the only university whose language of instruction abroad is Turkish. 

In this regard, our educational and training activities have commenced in Somalia, Sudan, Uzbekistan, and Syria. Our overseas educational activities will continue in the upcoming period with Afghanistan, Palestine, Pakistan, Lebanon, and other countries. 

Our University continues to provide education with the mission of serving as a bridge between the Past and the Future, in accordance with its founding mission.