Founded in 1996 with the motto ñLearning not for school but for lifeî (Non scholae sed vitae discimus), B_LG_ has attempted to establish a community that promotes tolerance and respect for diversity of individuals with different lifestyles, beliefs and ways of thinking within the framework of contemporary universal values, while at the same time maintaining strong ties with all segments of the society. As one of the leading international higher education institutions of Turkey and a member of Laureate International Universities Network, B_LG_ provides diversified higher education to all domestic and international students. With about 20.000 students, more than 22.000 alumni and nearly 1.000 academic staff, B_LG_ offers over 150 programs in its 6 faculties, 5 institutes, 5 professional and 3 vocational schools. Besides its excellence in academics, B_LG_ hosts more than 1.000 academic and cultural events each year at award-winning campuses located in the heart of Istanbul. ´ A city university intertwined with _stanbulÍs vibrant cultural life ´ Leading Turkish university with innovative academic environment and diverse student body ´ English as the medium of instruction ´ The only member in Turkey of worldÍs leading university network Laureate International Universities which provides a quality higher education on an international scale with more than 80 accredited campus-based and online universities ´ More than 550 exchange agreements in Europe, an active participant in the Erasmus exchange network ´ Full member of European University Association (EUA), International Association of Universities (IAU), EUA-CDE (EUA-Council for Doctoral Education) and OECD/Programme on Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE)