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. Since the 2006-2007 academic year, the rapidly growing university has been located in its new and modern Akfırat campus. Now, it reached 63 undergraduate, 41 master and 13 Ph. D. programs under eight faculties, two vocational schools and three graduate schools. True to its motto, “The University Closest to Business Life,” Okan University effectively combines theory and practice by employing an 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. Indeed, the university, which had the pleasure of presenting its first graduates with their diplomas in 2006-2007, has fulfilled the promise of its motto, as all members of its first graduating class of graduates have found employment. 

   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. Okan University has cooperation protocols with business institutions such as the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey, Turkish - Eurasian Business Council, Information and Communication Technologies Authority, The Turkish Contractors Association, Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, International Transporters'Association, Turkish Tourism Investors Association, Turkish Airlines, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Turkish Red Crescent, Festo Ind. Bus. Inc., Akfırat Municipality, as well as academic institutions such as Beijing University, Murray State University and Anadolu University.

• - To train students to think in an analytical, interdisciplinary way, and to instill them with an entrepreneurial spirit.
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• - To invest in and support innovative scientists and scholars who are able to successfully integrate education and training and thus help our students to become exceptional graduates in their respective fields. 
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• - To concentrate on educational and research activities directed at meeting the needs of society by making social responsibility and environmental consciousness our priority. 
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• - To convert information into technology and social benefit.

  Our vision is to become a world-class university which contributes to the betterment of the nation and its business life by providing education of the highest standards and thereby preparing its students to enter the modern business world, ensuring that they are open to domestic and foreign competition, and instilling them with social responsibility and environmental consciousness.

  Social and cultural activities are considered as integral parts of education at Istanbul Okan University. Seminars, conferences and symposia are organised at the university with the participation of eminent scholars. On the other hand, students are constantly encouraged to take part in social, cultural and sportive activities through the student clubs. Regular trips to historical sites and touristic regions are organised by the Tourism Student Club. The Okan Spring Festival has become a centre of interest not only for Okan students but also for students of other universities. Separate Dormitories for Women and Men Computer and Electronics Laboratories Technical Equipped Art Workshops Library configured with the latest technology 24 hours Uninterrupted Internet Access Courtroom for Practical Courses' of Faculty of Law Gastronomy Cuisine 24 Hour Health Care Various Food Alternatives Sports Complex (Indoor Fitness Center, Indoor Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Pilates and Aerobics Studios, Race Course, Squash Courts, Steam Room and Sauna) Social Centre (Cinema, Game Room, Entertainment Center, Cafes, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Shops) Amphitheater