Public access to buildings

Kadir Has University (KHAS), founded in 1997 in Istanbul, is deeply committed to sustainability in education, research, and campus life. The University aims to become a national and international leader in both academic excellence and cultural preservation while actively contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its teaching, research, and community engagement.

With its five faculties—Art and Design, Communication, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Engineering and Natural Sciences, and Law—KHAS integrates sustainability and ethical values into its curricula and institutional practices, shaping a generation of responsible global citizens.

Cibali Campus: A Heritage Site

Located on the Golden Horn in Istanbul’s Fatih district, the Cibali Campus demonstrates how historical architecture can be adapted for sustainable education. Once home to the Tekel Cibali Tobacco Factory—an industrial complex established in 1884—the site was repurposed by Kadir Has University after 1997. Guided by Dr. Mehmet Alper’s architectural vision, the transformation preserved the original industrial character while integrating green technologies, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly materials.

This careful restoration earned KHAS the Europa Nostra Award for its outstanding contribution to cultural heritage preservation and sustainable urban renewal. The campus now spans 50,000 square meters and hosts the Rectorate, faculties, laboratories, the Information Center, performance halls, and social spaces—all designed around eco-conscious infrastructure and resource-efficient systems.

Importantly, the Cibali Campus is open to the public, allowing citizens and visitors to experience its historic architecture, exhibitions, and landscaped courtyards. The Rezan Has Museum, situated within the campus, provides free and appointment-based access to archaeological collections and rotating exhibitions, enabling the public to engage directly with Istanbul’s industrial and cultural heritage. In this way, KHAS not only preserves the architectural legacy of the Tekel Factory but also ensures its continued role as a living cultural and educational landmark in the heart of the city.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Cibali district, framed by the ancient Byzantine walls, represents one of Istanbul’s oldest neighborhoods. Its strategic location by the harbor made it a center of trade and shipbuilding during the Ottoman period. The area’s evolution—from the Porto del Pozzo harbor to a bustling tobacco factory and finally to a modern university campus—illustrates how adaptive reuse of heritage sites can promote sustainable urban regeneration.

Built in 1884, the Cibali Tobacco Factory served as one of the most significant industrial facilities of its time, employing over 2,000 workers—many of them women—and contributing greatly to the city’s economic and social life. After decades of operation, the factory was closed in the mid-1990s, marking the end of an era in Istanbul’s industrial history. In 1997, the site was transferred to Kadir Has University, which initiated an extensive restoration and conservation process.

Since then, KHAS has preserved and continuously used the historic factory buildings as part of its Cibali Campus, ensuring that the architectural integrity and cultural value of the site are maintained. The carefully restored complex now hosts classrooms, laboratories, exhibition spaces, and the Rezan Has Museum, blending education, culture, and history in a single setting.

Today, Kadir Has University’s commitment to protecting and revitalizing this heritage site stands as an inspiring example of how cultural identity, academic innovation, and environmental sustainability can coexist harmoniously. Through its publicly accessible campus, exhibitions, and guided tours, KHAS continues to strengthen its connection with Istanbul’s cultural memory while offering the community direct access to a living piece of the city’s industrial and architectural heritage.

Selimpaşa Campus

Opened in 1998 on the Silivri seafront, the Selimpaşa Campus covers 100,000 square meters and embodies KHAS’s commitment to green innovation. The campus was recently designated a Technological Development Zone (Technopark) and is being developed in partnership with Silivri Municipality to foster research and entrepreneurship in sustainable technologies.

As the only active technopark within 100 kilometers between Avcılar and Çorlu, Selimpaşa focuses on ten strategic areas linked to the SDGs:
Agriculture and Green Transformation, Disaster Management, Energy, Robotics, Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Health, Finance, and Advanced Materials.

The Selimpaşa Campus is publicly accessible, featuring open coastal green spaces, recreational areas, and walking routes that connect the community to the natural environment. Visitors can freely access these outdoor areas for leisure, educational activities, and public events. Through this open campus design, KHAS promotes environmental awareness, community well-being, and inclusive access to nature—turning the campus into a model of how technological innovation can coexist with sustainable environmental stewardship.

Public Access to Cultural and Natural Heritage

Kadir Has University ensures that its campuses remain open, inclusive, and accessible to the public, integrating sustainability with community participation.

At the Cibali Campus, public access is available to the Rezan Has Museum, courtyards, and historical spaces within the restored Tekel Factory complex. These areas host cultural events, exhibitions, and academic symposia, inviting the public to experience Istanbul’s industrial heritage within a contemporary educational setting.

At the Selimpaşa Campus, public green areas and coastal walkways are open to both students and local residents, creating opportunities for outdoor recreation, scientific engagement, and environmental education.

Through these open-access initiatives, KHAS contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, reinforcing its mission to serve not only as an educational institution but also as a cultural and social resource for the community.

Rezan Has Museum: Preserving and Sharing Istanbul’s Cultural Heritage

Located within Kadir Has University’s Cibali Campus on the shores of the Golden Horn, the Rezan Has Museum stands as a bridge between Istanbul’s ancient past and its contemporary academic life. Open to the public since May 2007 with its inaugural exhibition “Timeless Simplicity” during the 11th International Conference on Oriental Carpets, the Museum has since become an active cultural center hosting original exhibitions, research events, and art programs.

The Museum’s permanent collection dates back nearly 9,000 years, featuring artifacts from Anatolia’s prehistoric and classical civilizations. In 2009, the collection expanded to include documents and industrial objects from the Cibali Tobacco Factory, enriching its narrative of Istanbul’s urban and industrial transformation. Within its exhibition space lie two remarkable archaeological structures that connect visitors directly with the city’s layered heritage: a 11th-century Byzantine water cistern (the Seferikos Cistern) and the remains of a 17th-century Ottoman structure believed to have been used for water management.

The Byzantine cistern, built from stone, terracotta bricks, and lime mortar, consists of 48 arches, 15 piers, and 20 columns—some of which display capitals from different periods between the Early Byzantine and Middle Byzantine eras. After losing its original function, the cistern served successively as a tobacco warehouse for the factory and later as a food storage depot during World War II. The Ottoman-era remains adjoining it add another layer to this complex history, demonstrating the continuity of Istanbul’s water and urban systems through the centuries.

Today, the Rezan Has Museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year and plays a vital role in public education and cultural preservation. It operates under an open-access policy, inviting both the University community and the wider public to explore its exhibitions, heritage architecture, and research programs. The Museum is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, except on the first day of religious holidays and on January 1st, and offers free and appointment-based entry for individuals, school groups, and researchers.

Easily accessible by public transport through the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s IETT “Nasıl Giderim” route planner, the Museum ensures convenient entry for all visitors. Its location—Kadir Has University, Cibali Mah. Kadir Has Cad. 34083 Fatih, Istanbul—places it within one of the city’s most historically significant districts, allowing people to experience culture, archaeology, and education in the same space.

By maintaining open public access to its collections, archaeological remains, and historic architecture, Kadir Has University affirms its role as a steward of Istanbul’s tangible and intangible heritage, turning its campus into a living museum that connects the past, present, and future of cultural sustainability.

For more information: https://www.rhm.org.tr/en/visit/

Promotional Activities

Kadir Has University organizes comprehensive promotional activities each year to help prospective students and their families explore the University’s academic programs, campus life, and facilities. These activities aim to strengthen KHAS’s relationship with secondary education institutions and provide accurate, inspiring information to guide university choices.

As part of the annual “Kadir Has University Introduction and Promotion Programme,” high school students, guidance counselors, and families are invited to visit the Cibali Campus, meet with faculty members, learn about undergraduate and graduate programs, and take guided campus tours. Visitors also have the opportunity to attend presentations about scholarships, international exchange programs, double major options, and student clubs.

In addition to on-campus events, KHAS engages in school visits and online information sessions to reach a wider audience beyond Istanbul. Through these efforts, the University ensures that students from various regions of Türkiye gain insight into KHAS’s academic quality, research culture, and student-centered learning environment.

Between 2021 and 2025, KHAS welcomed a total of 14,747 visitors to its promotion events. Despite the shift to hybrid and in-person formats, interest has remained steady, with a noticeable increase in conversion rates — from 10% in 2021 and 2022 to 18% in 2025, indicating stronger engagement and growing recognition of KHAS’s reputation among prospective students.

The data show that, in 2025, Cibali Campus hosted 2,658 visitors, marking a consistent level of public interest. The increasing enrollment-to-visitor ratio (18%) reflects the growing impact of KHAS’s outreach efforts, especially through interactive sessions and faculty-led presentations that highlight academic excellence, innovative teaching, and student success stories.

Kadir Has University remains committed to providing open and inclusive access to its campus, allowing high school students and the public to experience its historical architecture, modern facilities, and vibrant academic culture. These outreach activities demonstrate KHAS’s dedication to community engagement and the promotion of higher education accessibility in Türkiye.

Information Center

The core services and resources of our library directly contribute to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly “Quality Education” (SDG 4), “Reduced Inequalities” (SDG 10), and “Responsible Consumption and Production” (SDG 12). Additionally, we conduct various projects and activities aimed at supporting goals such as “Gender Equality” (SDG 5), “Clean Water and Sanitation” (SDG 6), “Affordable and Clean Energy” (SDG 7), “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8), “Sustainable Cities and Communities” (SDG 11), and “Life on Land” (SDG 15).

Public Access

Other university members (external users) can benefit from the services and facilities of the Information Center according to the following rules:

 Academic staff from other universities can benefit from the Information Center on weekdays during office hours by presenting their valid university ID cards.

 Appointment: Master’s/Ph.D. students from other universities can benefit from the Information Center on weekdays during office hours (08:30 – 17:30) once a month, provided they make an appointment at least two business days in advance. Benefit applications made by coming to the campus are not accepted. Master’s/Ph.D. students from other universities can send their applications to [email protected] with their “…@edu.tr” email addresses provided by their universities, subject to the condition that they make an appointment in advance. Applications containing visual images of valid student IDs will be processed. The Information Center reserves the right to reject all benefit applications. The number of external users accepted daily is limited to 10 people. Click here for the External User Application Form.

During midterm and final exams, external users cannot be admitted to the Information Center.

Borrowing-Benefit: External users are advised to check the status of the resources they want to benefit from in the Information Center collection through the Information Center online catalog https://bilgimerkezi.khas.edu.tr before making an appointment.

 Other university members can borrow printed resources from the Information Center through Interlibrary Loan Service (ILDS) via their university libraries (5 books for 30 days) or make copies/duplicates from the university’s photocopy office to the extent permitted by copyright laws.

External User Access

In 2023, 1,027 unique external users visited the Information Center 5,933 times, utilizing both print and electronic resources in the library’s collection for their research.

Source: Information Center External User Statistics – 2023
https://bilgimerkezi.khas.edu.tr/en/external-users/

OPEN ACCESS EVENTS

Please find below the list of open access educational events held by our university in the year of 2024:

📚Event Title: KHAS Law Academy – IV: “Climate Crisis and Law”
Date & Time: January 12, 2024 / 10:30–12:35
Venue: Galata Hall, Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Description: A campus event for high-school students organized by the Law Faculty, bringing together students and faculty to examine the legal responsibilities of states in relation to climate change, as well as case-based education on being a law student at KHAS.
Speakers:

• Dr. Asst.-Prof. Esra Ünal — “Climate Crisis and State Responsibilities”

• Research-Asst. Kaan Can Yıldırım — “Climate Damages”

• Mehmet Emir Uçar (4th-year Law Student) — “Being a Law Student at KHAS & Case-based Education”

📚Event Title: Siblings & Cousins at KHAS Day
Date & Time: May 11, 2024 / 10:00–16:00
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Description: An open-door event for siblings and cousins (ages 6–14) of our university students. A rich program of fun and educational sessions prepared for different age groups; all participants receive a personalized certificate.

📚Event Title: KHAS II Engineering & Natural Sciences Academy
Date & Time: April 18, 2024 / 10:30–13:00
Venue: Fener Hall, Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Description: An academy for high-school students exploring topics in engineering and natural sciences. Sessions include “Brain & Neuroscience”, “Education, Research, Excellence, Happiness”, “Virtual Reality & Haptic Touch”, and “Operations Research in Real Life Applications”.
Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Sondan Durukanoğlu Feyiz — “Brain & Neuroscience”

• Prof. Dr. Nihat Berker — “Education, Research, Excellence, Happiness”

• Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Mine Saraç Stroppa — “Virtual Reality & Haptic Touch”

• Prof. Dr. Funda Samanlıoğlu — “Operations Research in Real-Life Applications”

📚Event Title: KHAS Law Academy – IV
Date & Time: January 12, 2024 / 10:30–12:35
Venue: Galata Hall, Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students
Description: A campus event organized by the Law Faculty, gathering students to explore key legal topics in a compact morning session.

📚Event Title: KHAS Law Academy – V: “Social Media and Law”
Date & Time: February 27, 2024 / 11:00–13:20
Venue: Cibali Campus, Building B-311
Audience: High-school students
Description: Session includes presentations on “Personality Right Violations on Social Media”, “Digital Violence and Social Media Use”, and a student talk on being a law student at KHAS.
Speakers:
Assoc. Prof. Özge Uzun Kazmacı – “Personality Right Violations on Social Media” (11:00-11:40)
Res. Asst. Çağrı Mardin – “Social Media Usage and Digital Violence” (11:40-12:20)
Mehmet Emir Uçar (4th-year Law Student) – “Being a Law Student at KHAS & Case-Based Education” (12:40-13:20)

📚Event Title: KHAS Law Academy – VI
Date & Time: March 19, 2024 / 10:45–13:20
Venue: Cibali Campus, Building B-212
Audience: High-school students
Description: Another edition of the high-school focused law academy exploring current intersections of law and technology.

📚Event Title: KHAS Law Academy – VII: “New Technologies and Law”
Date & Time: April 24, 2024 / 10:45–14:30
Venue: Fener Hall, Cibali Campus
Audience: High-school students
Description: Extended session covering how emerging technologies (e.g., AI, crypto) influence legal frameworks and rights.

📚Event Title: KHAS Lise Law Academy: “Law in a Changing World”
Date & Time: May 22, 2024 / 10:30–13:30
Venue: Fener Hall, Cibali Campus
Audience: High-school students
Description: Key-note segments on climate damage, defective product liability, and insights from a 4th-year law student on case-based education.
Speakers:

• Res. Asst. Kaan Can Yıldırım – “Climate Damages” (11:00-11:40)
• Res. Asst. Alican Çalışkan – “Damages from Defective Products” (11:40-12:20)
• Mehmet Emir Uçar (4th-year Law Student) – “Being a Law Faculty Student at KHAS / Case-Based Education” (12:40-13:20)

📚Event Title: KHAS Teacher Academy – 9
Date & Time: June 1, 2024 / 10:00–17:00
Venue: Galata Hall, Kadir Has University
Audience: Educators and administrators
Description: A full-day professional development event for teachers bringing together academic experts across multiple disciplines.
Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Sondan Durukanoğlu Feyiz (Rector)
• Prof. Dr. Adil Sarıbay (Psychology)
• Dr. Aylin Sunam (New Media)
• Assoc. Prof. Taner Arsan (Computer Engineering)
• Dr. Aysun Altunkaş (Law Faculty)

📚Event Title: KHAS Siblings & Cousins at KHAS Day
Date & Time: May 11, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: Siblings and cousins (younger relatives) of university students
Description: A fun and educational day-long campus event with sessions tailored for younger participants; includes certificate of participation.

📚Event Title: KHAS Families Again at KHAS
Date & Time: December 23, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: Families of university students and prospective families
Description: Follow-up event to the “Family on Campus” initiative, offering free academic facility access and multiple thematic sessions across disciplines.

📚Event Title: KHAS Lise Engineering & Natural Sciences Academy – II
Date & Time: April 18, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students
Description: A thematic academy focused on engineering and natural sciences topics for secondary school participants.

📚Event Title: KHAS Communication Academy (High School)
Date & Time: December 3, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students interested in communication studies
Description: A one-day academy offering insight into communication technologies, new media, and career pathways in the field.

📚Event Title: KHAS Architecture Workshop – “Imaginary Places”
Date & Time: February 29, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Faculty of Art and Design
Audience: High-school students interested in architecture and design
Description: A creative workshop where students explore the concept of “imaginary places” through drawing, model-making, and spatial storytelling. The activity encourages imagination and critical thinking about design in context.

📚Event Title: KHAS Industrial Design Academy – “Design a Gift for Yourself”
Date & Time: February 29, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Faculty of Art and Design
Audience: High-school students interested in industrial and product design
Description: A hands-on design studio activity where participants conceptualize and craft a small personalized product prototype while learning about design thinking and creativity.

📚Event Title: KHAS Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Academy – “Spatial Cycle 2”
Date & Time: February 29, 2024 / 10:45–12:00
Venue: Cibali Campus, Faculty of Art and Design
Audience: High-school students
Description: A studio-style workshop led by academic staff focusing on spatial perception, circular design, and the relationship between users and space.
Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Banu Manav – Dean, Faculty of Art and Design (Opening Speech, 10:45–11:00)
• Dr. Burcu Çiğdem Yılmaz & Lecturer Dilara Kelle – Workshop (11:00–12:00)

📚Event Title: KHAS Industrial Design Workshop – “Design by Making”
Date & Time: April 29, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students
Description: Practical workshop introducing the fundamentals of material use, form generation, and creative prototyping through hands-on exercises with design tools and everyday materials.

📚Event Title: KHAS Architecture Workshop – “Imaginary Places 2”
Date & Time: April 29, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Faculty of Art and Design
Audience: High-school students
Description: A continuation of the “Imaginary Places” workshop series, guiding participants to imagine, sketch, and present creative architectural spaces that reflect personal and social narratives.

📚Event Title: KHAS Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Workshop – “Spatial Cycle”
Date & Time: April 29, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students
Description: A follow-up to previous design sessions, this workshop focuses on spatial relationships and the interaction of design, light, and movement in interior environments.

📚Event Title: KHAS Faculty of Art and Design Academy (High School)
Date & Time: April 29, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students interested in architecture, interior design, and industrial design
Description: A collective event combining multiple creative workshops—architecture, industrial design, and interior design—offering exposure to studio practices and the interdisciplinary structure of the Faculty of Art and Design.

📚Event Title: KHAS Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences (FEASS) High School Academy – II: “Changing World, Changing Human Behavior”
Date & Time: May 15, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Fener Hall
Audience: High-school students
Description: An academic program exploring behavioral change in a dynamic world, connecting psychology, economics, and social sciences to current issues.

📚Event Title: KHAS Advertising Workshop – “The Advertisement of Advertising”
Date & Time: May 20, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Faculty of Communication
Audience: High-school students
Description: Interactive workshop introducing the creative process of advertising, including idea generation, copywriting, and visual communication. Participants work in teams to produce mini ad concepts.

📚Event Title: KHAS Law Academy – “Social Inequalities and Law”
Date & Time: October 22, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: High-school students
Description: An advanced session focusing on the legal dimensions of social inequality, justice, and equity. Students explore how legal systems address (or fail to address) structural inequality in modern societies.

📚Event Title: KHAS Teacher Academy – 10
Date & Time: December 7, 2024 / 10:00–17:00
Venue: Galata Hall, Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: Teachers and school administrators from across Turkey
Description: The 10th KHAS Teacher Academy continued the university’s professional development series for educators, bringing together experts from multiple disciplines. Sessions focused on innovative teaching methods, technology integration in education, and creativity in the classroom. The program concluded with a networking session among participants.

📚Event Title: KHAS Siblings & Cousins at KHAS Day – 2
Date & Time: December 14, 2024 / 10:00–16:00
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: Siblings and cousins (ages 6–14) of KHAS students
Description: The second edition of this special event welcomed hundreds of children to campus for a day full of creative, educational, and recreational activities. Participants joined art, science, and storytelling workshops designed to introduce them to the university environment in a joyful and inspiring way.

📚Event Title: Families Again at KHAS
Date & Time: December 23, 2024
Venue: Cibali Campus, Kadir Has University
Audience: Families of current and prospective KHAS students
Description: Following the success of “Family on Campus,” this second-year event invited families to explore the university’s academic and social environment. The program featured 25 thematic sessions on fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Law, Architecture, Dance, and Communication.
Attendance: 152 family members participated in total.

PUBLIC EVENTS

Kadir Has University’s active involvement in both national and international events in 2024 (listed below) demonstrated its enduring dedication to fostering intellectual growth and enriching the academic and cultural landscape. These gatherings not only celebrated the pursuit of knowledge and understanding but also showcased the university’s role as a vital hub for collaboration, innovation, and global engagement. As it has done for many years, Kadir Has University continued to be a vibrant center for intellectual discourse and a beacon of inspiration for scholars, students, and thought leaders from across the world.