History

The foundation of Balıkesir University dates back to the Karesi Teacher School, which was established in 1910. With the personal interest of the then Minister of National Education, Mustafa Necati Bey, this school was moved in 1932 to the building that currently houses the Necatibey Faculty of Education and was renamed Necatibey Teacher Training School. Between 1932 and 1982, the Necatibey Teacher Training School continued to train teachers under the name Necatibey Education Institute. In 1981, its status was changed from a three-year program to a four-year "Higher Teacher Training School," and in 1982, it was affiliated with Uludağ University and renamed the Necatibey Faculty of Education.

Similarly, pursuant to Decree Law No. 41 in 1982, other higher education institutions in Balıkesir were also affiliated with Uludağ University. These were the Balıkesir School of Business Administration and Tourism, which was affiliated under the name Balıkesir School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and the Balıkesir State Academy of Engineering and Architecture, which was affiliated as the Balıkesir Faculty of Engineering. Another institution affiliated with Uludağ University, the Balıkesir Vocational School, continued its operations under the same name.

These institutions remained under the umbrella of Uludağ University for ten years, undergoing sound and steady development, which formed a strong foundation for Balıkesir University. Balıkesir University was established by Law No. 3837, published in the Official Gazette No. 21281 dated July 11, 1992, and gained legal personality on January 1, 1993.