Kültür Schools Founder Fahamettin Akıngüç Dies at 100

Fahamettin Akıngüç, the founder of Kültür Schools and its honorary chairman, has passed away at the age of 100. Akıngüç, a distinguished civil engineer, died on Monday, July 6, 2026. His funeral will be held at the Ataköy 5. Kısım Ömer Duruk Mosque after the afternoon prayer, followed by his burial at Kozlu Family Cemetery.

Born in Istanbul on January 8, 1926, Akıngüç completed his early education in Eskişehir. He entered the Higher School of Engineering in 1943, graduating from the Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Civil Engineering in 1950 after the school's transformation. Following his military service, he worked as an engineer and chief of office at the Project and Construction Department of ITU.

Akıngüç then established his own firm, undertaking various construction projects until 1960. In that year, he founded Kültür College in Istanbul, shifting his focus primarily to the education sector. He played a key role in the growth and institutionalization of Kültür Schools. In 1989, he and his family established the Kültür College Education Foundation, which led to the founding of Istanbul Kültür University on July 15, 1997. Akıngüç served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the university until 2009, when he passed the role to Dr. Bahar Akıngüç Günver.

He was recognized for his contributions to education, particularly his student-focused approach, guidance services, psychological counseling, teacher development, and educational publishing. Akıngüç was also actively involved in the organization of private educational institutions for many years.