Ankara University hosts a variety of research, application, and education centers that support its academic and scientific mission. As of the latest data, the university operates 41 such centers, each dedicated to specialized research and public service.One of the notable centers is the Turkish and Foreign Languages Research and Application Center, known as TÖMER, which was established in 1984. By 2014, TÖMER had expanded to include 11 branches across Turkey, with its central office located in Ankara. The center provides language instruction in a broad range of languages, including Turkish, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Modern Greek, Dutch, Bulgarian, Chinese, Ottoman Turkish, Arabic, Polish, and the languages of the Central Asian Turkic Republics. The language offerings are subject to change based on demand and academic trends.
The Ankara University Kreiken Observatory, which began construction in 1959 and opened officially in 1963, is another key center. It provides significant contributions to astronomy, offering both scientific research opportunities and educational events for children, students, and the general public. The observatory also makes its facilities available to the public during important astronomical events.
The Ankara University Women Issues Research and Application Center (KASAUM), founded to address gender issues and the role of women in society, organizes research and educational programs. In 1996, the center launched the "Women Research" master's program to further support research in this field. Similarly, the Small Entrepreneurship Research and Application Center (KIGAUM) conducts research on small business entrepreneurship, offers educational programs for academics and entrepreneurs, and fosters partnerships with both local and international centers.
The Distance Education Center at Ankara University provides opportunities for students to pursue higher education remotely, offering both full degree programs and individual courses. The university also operates the Center of Excellence in Superconductivity Research (CESUR), which focuses on the study of superconducting materials such as MgB2, BSCCO, and YBCO, particularly for use in practical superconductivity technologies.
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The Ankara University European Research Center (ATAUM), founded in 1987, is dedicated to promoting knowledge of the European Union and Turkey-EU relations. It engages in interdisciplinary research and training, contributing to a deeper understanding of the political and economic dynamics of the EU and its member states. Additionally, the Ankara University Center for Earthquake Research conducts independent studies on seismic activity, with a particular focus on the region surrounding Ankara and broader Turkey.
Several other specialized centers at the university include the Psychiatric Crisis Research and Application Center (PKUAM), which focuses on psychiatric crises, suicide prevention, and related public health issues. Established in 1987, PKUAM serves as a reference point for the World Health Organization. The Brain Research Center, founded in 2009, is another prominent research center, bringing together experts from diverse fields like linguistics, psychiatry, neurology, and electrical engineering to explore the human brain.
The Latin American Research and Application Center (LAMER), opened in 2009, conducts research into the political, economic, social, and cultural issues of Latin America. It aims to analyze the region's development and explore how its experiences might be applied in Turkey. Similarly, the Center for the Research of Child's Culture (ÇOKAUM), founded in 1994, focuses on research related to children's culture and organizes both national and international academic events. The Center for Research of South Eastern Europe (GAMER), established in 2009, addresses the cultural, historical, and economic aspects of the South Eastern European region.
In addition to these, the university operates the Center for the Research of Turkish Geography (TÜCAUM), which began its activities in 1990. TÜCAUM supports research on Turkish geography, compiles relevant data, and maintains an archive of materials related to Turkey's geographical studies. The Political Psychology Research and Application Center (POLPAUM) and the Center of Environmental Science also contribute to the university's diverse academic focus. Finally, the Old Age Research and Application Center (YASAM) works on issues related to aging and the welfare of older individuals, conducting research and publishing on the social, economic, health, and psychological conditions of the elderly.
