Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of accomplishments in education, science, and culture since its establishment on April 1, 1975.
OMU was established by Law No. 1873 passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on April 1, 1975. The foundation of the university was laid when Samsun Faculty of Medicine, originally affiliated with Hacettepe University since 1973, was transferred to OMU in 1975. The same law also stipulated the establishment of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, marking the start of educational activities at the university.
OMU expanded over the years, adding the Faculty of Agriculture in 1976 and the Faculty of Education in 1982. The Higher Institute of Islamic Studies also became part of OMU as the Faculty of Theology in 1982. With Decree-Law No. 41 in 1982, several higher education institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education were integrated into OMU, starting a new era of structuring. Several units separated from OMU later formed the foundations for new universities in Amasya, Ordu, and Sinop in 2006 and 2007. Most recently, Samsun University was established in 2018, positioning OMU as the region's central hub for higher education.
Today, with 20 faculties, one school, 14 vocational schools, three institutes, and 27 research and application centers, OMU ranks among Türkiye's most respected universities, boasting over 52,000 students. With around 5,000 international students from 108 countries, OMU is among the top 5 Turkish universities with the highest number of international students.
OMU stands out through projects strengthening university-city collaboration, pioneering healthcare services, and developing joint initiatives with industry partners. The Faculty of Medicine Hospital serves more than 1 million patients annually, while the Faculty of Dentistry Hospital serves around 300,000 patients. Additionally, OMU hosts the only center capable of performing living-donor organ transplants in the Black Sea Region.
In the field of technology and innovation, OMU's Technology Transfer Office bridges industry and academia, supporting over 200 projects. Samsun Teknopark, under OMU’s management, has completed 350 projects, with 150 more currently underway. Furthermore, the university’s Hemp Research Institute leads scientific research in cannabis studies in Türkiye.
The 50th-anniversary celebrations at OMU will continue throughout the year with diverse events. A wreath-laying ceremony at the OMU Atatürk Monument is scheduled for April 7 at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception at the OMTEL Hotel at 5:00 PM. On April 24, the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Academic Awards Ceremony will take place. The "50 Events for the 50th Year" campaign will include academic panels, conferences, cultural and artistic events, sports competitions, and spring festivals, with memorable concerts planned for May to enhance the celebrations.
Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın highlighted OMU’s commitment to being a pioneering center in science, art, and technology. She emphasized the importance of advancements in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, the defense industry, and aerospace technologies. Rector Aydın also underscored the university's significant projects in health sciences, agriculture and food technologies, fine arts, social sciences, and humanities.
Emphasizing that modern universities should not only conduct education and research but also commercialize knowledge, Rector Aydın said, “The transformation brought by the digital age will define the functional and structural evolution of universities. Therefore, equipping our students with digital skills is crucial.” She added that knowledge alone is insufficient, noting, “Knowledge truly contributes to humanity when combined with ethics, virtue, and cooperation.”
Stressing OMU’s integral role in the community, Rector Aydın expressed a commitment to strengthening collaborations with public institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders. Concluding her remarks, she extended gratitude to the founders, administrators, academic and administrative staff, students, and the entire OMU family who contributed from the university’s establishment until today, commemorating those who have passed away with respect and gratitude.
The 50th-anniversary celebrations at OMU will continue year-round, encompassing academic, sports, cultural, and artistic activities.
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