Our Name: Statesman Celal Bayar

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Celal Bayar – President of the Republic of Türkiye

Celal Bayar, who achieved his goals throughout his life through his virtues of intelligence, determination, and perseverance, became one of the most distinguished figures in modern Turkish history and continues to inspire generations after him.

In addition to his achievements as an economist and statesman, Celal Bayar was highly respected for his contributions during the organization of the national resistance movement and the Turkish War of Independence. He also played a significant role in Türkiye’s transition to a multi-party political system.

Celal Bayar, the last Prime Minister appointed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the first civilian President of the Republic of Türkiye, was born in 1883 in the village of Umurbey, Bursa. After completing his primary and secondary education, he began his career as a civil servant and worked in various fields, including justice, banking, and public administration.

Following the declaration of the Second Constitutional Monarchy in 1908, he joined the Committee of Union and Progress and later served as its Secretary-General at the İzmir branch. In 1920, Celal Bayar was elected as a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and subsequently served as Acting Minister of Finance. During the Çerkez Ethem uprising, he chaired the delegation sent to negotiate with Çerkez Ethem. He was also elected to the last Ottoman Parliament as the representative of Saruhan.

During the Turkish War of Independence, under the name "Galip Hoca", he organized resistance efforts in Bursa against the occupation forces. In 1921, he was appointed Minister of Finance and later participated in the Lausanne Conference as an advisor.

In 1924, Celal Bayar became one of the founders of Türkiye İş Bankası. In 1937, he was appointed as the 14th Prime Minister of the Republic of Türkiye by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and formed his government.

A member of the Republican People's Party (CHP) until 1945, Celal Bayar, together with Adnan Menderes, Refik Koraltan, and Fuat Köprülü, issued the "Memorandum of Four" and subsequently left the party to establish the Democrat Party, of which he became the chairman.

Following the general elections of 1950, the Democrat Party achieved a decisive victory, and on 22 May 1950, the Turkish Grand National Assembly elected Celal Bayar as the third President and the first civilian President of the Republic of Türkiye.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Celal Bayar was his deep respect and loyalty to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In the government program he presented on 8 November 1937, Atatürk was mentioned 44 times. His words spoken at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1953 remain among the most memorable expressions of his devotion:

"You belonged to us. Some wanted you to become a monarch, others a caliph. You rejected them all and chose the path of national sovereignty. You dedicated yourself and your life to serving your people. You possessed the qualities that Turks have always admired. With all these qualities, you represented the Turkish spirit itself."

In recognition of this distinguished statesman’s contributions, the great Turkish nation honored his legacy by naming the university founded on 11 July 1992 after him.

Celal Bayar, who made significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the Turkish nation and state, will always be remembered with the respect and appreciation he deserves.

At Manisa Celal Bayar University, student-centered education is provided in a modern and democratic environment equipped with advanced technological facilities. Students have opportunities to participate in social and cultural activities while developing their abilities and expressing themselves.

"We have our strength from science and natural sciences, and progress accordingly."

M. Kemal Atatürk