Bahçeşehir University opens new congress center and starts 2026-2027 academic year

Bahçeşehir University (BAU) has officially commenced the 2026-2027 academic year at its South Campus in Beşiktaş, Istanbul. The opening featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Oonagh McGirr, Founding Director of the Micro-credentials Foundation, who discussed the necessity for modern universities to evolve beyond traditional models in response to artificial intelligence and changing human needs.

During the ceremony, BAU Rector Prof. Dr. Esra Hatipoğlu highlighted the institution's role in higher education transformation, noting that the university has opened 20 different micro-credential programs to all students in Turkey as the country's first and only micro-credit provider.

In conjunction with the academic start, the university has also opened the BAU Culture and Congress Center at its Beşiktaş campus. Located on the Bosphorus, the center is designed to host summits, conferences, and cultural events. The facility includes a 500-capacity Conference Hall-I, a 270-capacity Dr. Burhan Kara Conference Hall, and a 790-square-meter foyer equipped with modern technical infrastructure.