Historical Background
The origins of Balıkesir University date back to the Karesi Teacher Training School (Karesi Muallim Mektebi), founded in 1910. With the special interest of Mustafa Necati Bey, the then Minister of National Education, the school was relocated in 1932 to the building that today houses the Necatibey Faculty of Education and was renamed Necatibey Teacher School. Between 1932 and 1982, it continued to train teachers under the name Necatibey Education Institute. In 1981, its status was changed from a three-year institution to a four-year Higher Teacher School, and in 1982 it was incorporated into Uludağ University, receiving the name Necatibey Faculty of Education.
Similarly, under Decree Law No. 41 enacted in 1982, other higher education institutions in Balıkesir were affiliated with Uludağ University: the Balıkesir School of Business and Tourism (later Balıkesir School of Tourism and Hotel Management), and the Balıkesir State Academy of Engineering and Architecture, which was renamed the Balıkesir Faculty of Engineering. Another institution, the Balıkesir Vocational School, continued its activities under the same name.
These institutions, which remained under the umbrella of Uludağ University for a decade, established a strong foundation for Balıkesir University through steady and sustainable development. Balıkesir University was formally established by Law No. 3837, published in the Official Gazette dated July 11, 1992 (No. 21281), and acquired its legal entity on January 1, 1993.
