Partners - The Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

The Middle East Technical University is devoted to the pursuit and application of knowledge for the social, cultural, economic, scientific and technological development of our society and mankind through achievements in teaching, research and community service that are of highest international standards.

The University strives to be a university of the first rank in an international context. To this end, the University seeks to be a dynamic institution aiming at excellence that will attract both the best teaching and research staff and the highest quality students.

The University hopes to create an environment where inquiry and scholarship can flourish, where heterodoxy is not suppressed and where creativity can find expression. Its goal is excellence in all facets of university life; teaching, research, administration and the interface with the community.

The University accepts unreservedly that a fundamental part of a university's scholarship mission should be a strong research component and orientation to add to and improve understanding of existing knowledge; to this end the University opposes any form of censorship, which prejudices fundamental research and scholarship.

The University encourages each faculty, department and the administration to plan forward and establish specific strategies for the years ahead so that the Middle East Technical University of the future will not merely be the projection of its past but will be in tune with and reflect the changing environment in which it functions. To this end, the University, recognizing that there are physical and other constraints on its growth, endeavors, without being restrictive, to control and contain its rate of overall growth with appropriate adjustments to the balance between faculties and departments so as to ensure the highest standards.

The University is dedicated to the fundamental concept of academic freedom, which is essential to ensure high standards of teaching and research; is necessary to counter fear of heterodox thought and ideas in the continuous search for truth; accepts as vital the right to determine, on academic grounds, who may teach, who may be taught, what may be taught and how it should be taught; thrives best in a society which encourages frank questioning and inquiry as well as legitimate protest; a society where those who exercise these rights are protected by the rule of law.

The University seeks to ensure that no student is deprived of the right to receive higher education due to financial difficulties.

The University, recognizing that explicit consultation and accountability mechanisms are essential for just and efficient governance, encourages a high degree of staff and student involvement in its affairs.

The University is dedicated to instill in students an appreciation for human and ethical values, vision and training that will prepare them for lifetime learning and leadership.

The University wishes to function in intimate contact with and to contribute to its environment. The issues that concern Turkey, Middle East, Mediterranean and the international community are of concern to the University as part of that environment.

The University encourages in all its members and in society those attitudes of understanding, tolerance, and respect for others which are essential for the attainment of peace and justice.

The language of instruction at METU is English.

Further information is available at www.metu.edu.tr

In METU, there are the following Faculties:

• Faculty of Architecture Faculty of Arts and Sciences
• Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering

The Department of Environmental Engineering was established in January 1973 in response to the growing concern over the environment and the need for fully qualified engineers capable of undertaking professional responsibilities for optimum development and prudent management of water, air and land resources. The department evolved from the Sanitary Engineering division of the Civil Engineering Department, which was first established in 1967. Further information on Environmental Engineerig Dept. can be found at www.enve.metu.edu.tr

The mission of the Environmental Engineering Department is to provide the high quality environmental engineering education as required by the industry and the public; to advance the understanding and application of the principles of environmental science and engineering; to enhance and maintain sustainable economic development efforts and to improve the well-being of the society in general through teaching, research and community outreach programs.

The undergraduate degree program in the Environmental Engineering Department of METU has been recognized as "substantially equivalent" to accredited engineering programs in the United States by the International Activities Committee of ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology) in Spring 2002.