Koç University libraries and labs — overview and strategic value

Koç University’s academic resource portfolio is designed to support high-quality teaching, hands-on laboratory learning, and internationally competitive research output. The combined strengths of the Suna Kıraç Library and the university’s specialized laboratories make Koç an attractive destination for ambitious international students and researchers.

Key strategic points for recruiters and admissions teams:

• Comprehensive collections and digital archives that boost student outcomes and program rankings.
• Modern library automation enabling seamless off-campus access — a major selling point for remote learners and international applicants.
• State-of-the-art laboratories supporting disciplines from engineering and natural sciences to medicine and social science research.
• Strong institutional support for interdisciplinary projects, which appeals to international students seeking innovation-oriented degrees.

The Suna Kıraç Library — collections, spaces, and services

The Suna Kıraç Library is the central academic library at Koç University and a flagship resource for international students.

At-a-glance collection and facility metrics

• Over 270,000 print materials.
• More than 235,000 electronic books.
• 56,554 subscribed e-journals and access to 119 databases.
• Approximately 300,000 digital items, including photographs, manuscripts, maps, theses, and institutional archives.
• Rare book collection of about 8,000 works in Ottoman Turkish, French, English, Latin, Persian, and Arabic.
• Physical footprint: 8,300 square meters across four floors with seating for 915.
• Dedicated staff team of 30 professionals supporting research and learning.

Core services and user experience

• Remote access and discovery: The library’s digital holdings and databases provide students and faculty with off-campus access, critical for international learners and research collaborations.
• Special collections and archives: Unique assets such as the Vehbi Koç Press Clippings, Ankara Documents, and the Soundscape of Istanbul offer distinctive content for humanities and regional studies.
• Dedicated research support: Librarians and specialist staff provide tailored assistance for literature reviews, thesis preparation, citation management, and repository submissions.

Technical infrastructure — Sierra automation and interoperability

One of the library’s standout features is its modern technical infrastructure managed with the Sierra automation system. Benefits for universities and partner organisations:

• Seamless cataloguing, circulation, and resource discovery for on- and off-campus users.
• Improved uptime and consistent remote authentication workflows — an important selling point when recruiting students abroad.
• Opportunity for integration with institutional admission and learning management systems, enabling unified user profiles and access controls.

Branch libraries and specialist services

The Suna Kıraç Library coordinates four branch libraries that serve disciplinary specialisms. This distributed model provides:

• Close alignment between curricular needs and library resources.
• Discipline-specific study spaces and collections that support lab-based degrees and studio learning.

Koç University laboratories — enabling hands-on research and innovation

Koç University’s laboratories are integral to its engineering, science, and medical programs. They are equipped to support undergraduate experiments, postgraduate research, and interdisciplinary innovation projects.

Types of labs and typical equipment

• Engineering and technology labs: fabrication tools, materials testing machines, sensors and instrumentation, robotics platforms.
• Biological and chemical labs: cell culture facilities, analytical equipment (spectrometers, chromatographs), molecular biology toolkits.
• Medical simulation and clinical skills labs: simulation mannequins, imaging and diagnostic devices (relevant for prospective medical students and health professionals).
• Interdisciplinary and maker spaces: collaborative prototyping workshops, electronics benches, 3D printing and CAD/CAM stations.

Design for collaboration and industry engagement

Laboratories at Koç are designed to support:

• Multidisciplinary teams and cross-faculty projects.
• Industry partnerships and applied research, making programs attractive to international applicants seeking employability and research experience.
• Incubation of student-led startups and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Access, eligibility, and support for international students

Onboarding and resource orientation

• Library orientations and research skills workshops tailor instruction to international cohorts.
• Remote orientations and access guides leverage Sierra’s automation to grant off-campus database access and interlibrary services.

Lab access and safety

• Structured lab onboarding with safety training, supervised access for undergraduate labs, and mentor-supported research for postgraduate students.
• Partnerships between labs and the library for data management and thesis archiving.

How Koç’s libraries and labs strengthen recruitment messaging

When communicating with international prospects, admissions and marketing teams should highlight concrete, evidence-based features:

• Quantified collections (print, e-books, e-journals, databases) and rare archives that demonstrate research depth.
• Physical study capacity and collaborative spaces (8,300 sqm, seating for 915).
• State-of-the-art lab equipment and interdisciplinary maker spaces supporting employable skill development.
• Seamless remote resource access via modern automation systems — ideal for distance learners and applicants evaluating institutional digital maturity.

Sample messaging hooks for international campaigns

• “Access over 235,000 e-books and 56,000+ e-journals from anywhere in the world.”
• “Hands-on research experience in fully equipped engineering and life-science laboratories.”
• “Unique regional archives for thesis-level research in history and cultural studies.”

Integrating automation solutions — lessons for Study in Turkiye partners

Practical integration opportunities

• Single sign-on and federated identity: streamline student onboarding by linking admission platforms to library and lab access systems.
• API-driven data exchange: use the library’s Sierra-backed systems to synchronize enrollment status, resource entitlements, and usage analytics for recruitment reporting.
• Automated outreach: trigger targeted communications (welcome packs, orientation invites, resource guides) based on admission milestones.

Benefits for agents and placement agencies

• Faster verification of student eligibility and program readiness.
• Better pre-departure guidance for students (e.g., digital resource access instructions).
• Clearer value propositions when recommending Koç and similar institutions to high-achieving applicants.

Actionable checklist for admissions teams, recruiters, and HR

Use this checklist to operationalize Koç’s libraries and labs in recruitment and admissions workflows.

Pre-recruitment

• Verify current counts and digital access terms for e-resources.
• Develop targeted assets (videos, virtual tours) showcasing lab equipment and library spaces.
• Create FAQs for international applicants about remote access and resource availability.

During admissions

• Include library access and lab orientation steps in conditional offer letters.
• Ensure IT and library teams are looped into enrollment processes for SSO provisioning.
• Offer targeted webinars with faculty and lab directors to convert high-intent prospects.

Post-enrollment / onboarding

• Trigger automated emails with login credentials and orientation schedules.
• Provide access to digital collections and thesis repositories for incoming research students.
• Coordinate health and safety induction for lab users; link to mentorship and supervisor assignments.

Recommendations for partnerships and institutional development

For HR, research offices, and marketing heads looking to deepen collaboration with Koç or replicate its model:

• Pursue integration pilots that link recruitment CRMs to library automation to create a unified student lifecycle dashboard.
• Co-develop short-term, lab-based summer programs for international students to showcase hands-on facilities.
• Build joint research showcases that pair Koç’s rare archives with applied lab research to attract funding and international PhD candidates.

How Study in Turkiye can support these initiatives

• International student recruitment strategies tailored to resource-rich institutions.
• Automation consulting and integration services that connect admissions pipelines with academic infrastructure.
• Agent training and partner onboarding to ensure consistent messaging about library and lab benefits.

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Koç University libraries and labs are powerful assets for attracting international students, supporting high-impact research, and differentiating degree programs on the global stage. For admissions teams, international recruiters, HR managers, and education marketers, these resources provide concrete, measurable benefits to feature in recruitment journeys and partnership proposals.