İhsan Doğramacı Foundation Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory High School (Turkish: İhsan Doğramacı Vakfı Özel Bilkent Erzurum Laboratuvar Lisesi), commonly referred to as Bilkent Erzurum or BELS, is a both private foundation and state funded school under Bilkent University, located in Palandöken, Erzurum, Turkey. It was established by law 5526 in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey specifically to provide students with an international curriculum programme that includes the Ministry of National Education, International General Certificate of Secondary Education and International Baccalaureate curricula. The school opened in 2007 in the east of Turkey. Bilkent Erzurum is noted for its strong academic programs, having produced notable degrees in the IGCSE international examinations. History Bilkent Erzurum was established in 2007 as the first in a series of schools to be opened in the Eastern Anatolian Region of Turkey by the İhsan Doğramacı Foundation. On 22 June 2006, the Grand National Assembly adopted Law No. 5526 which gave Bilkent University permission to open schools in the provinces of Erzurum, Malatya, Şanlıurfa and Van. The Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory High School led by Prof. İhsan Doğramacı and Prof. Dr. was the first to be opened, with initial budget of 83,000,000 TL (50 million $). The school provides international standards for advanced education which will continue to grow in next 10 years under the umbrella of the Prof. Ali Doğramacı Institute of Educational Sciences and İhsan Doğramacı Foundation. . The Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School aims to extend modern Turkish educational, teaching and learning practices throughout Turkey, to contribute to the development of the Turkish nation and help it take its rightful place in the contemporary world, and to be an exemplary institution in Turkey and in the world. The institution opened its doors to students on September 17, 2007. School Administrative Board Prof. Ali Doğramacı (Honorary Chairman) Prof. Abdullah Atalar (Chairman) James Swetz (General Director of the School) Prof. Kürşat Aydoğan (Vice Rector) Prof. Mehmet Baray (Acting Dean) Bilkent Erzurum is founded as an exemplary educational institution not only for Turkey but also for the world. Prof. İhsan DOĞRAMACI Academics Students Bilkent Erzurum aims to educate students in light of Atatürk’s principles; by encouraging the importance of national and cultural values, independent thought, self-assurance, scientific and creative thought, the school aims to foster students who, as individuals aware of the modern world, will be leaders for change in the future. The school will also function as a center