The Anadolu Education and Culture Foundation (AKEV) was established in 1995. In 2003, in order to address the shortage of qualified personnel in our country and to contribute to solving the employment problem, the Foundation applied to the Council of Higher Education, requesting the establishment of the Anadolu BİL Vocational School.

By the General Assembly Decision No. 106 of the Council of Higher Education, dated 26.09.2003, the Anadolu BİL Vocational School was established, becoming the first vocational school in Turkey directly affiliated with the Council of Higher Education.

Anadolu BİL Vocational School proposed 12 programs, considering the needs of qualified personnel in the industrial and business sectors of our country, with a further goal of addressing the needs of European Union countries.

The establishment of Istanbul Aydın University, which would be directly affiliated with the Council of Higher Education, was also proposed to the Council following preparatory work. This proposal was approved by the General Assembly of the Council of Higher Education. Following the necessary legal procedures, Istanbul Aydın University was officially established and gained legal personality with the enactment of Law No. 5656, Article 73, published in the Official Gazette No. 26526 on 18.05.2007.