ITU-TRNC started its academic activities in the 2011-2012 Academic Year. The university is an autonomous and private legal entity which is academically and administratively affiliated with Istanbul Technical University, established through the approval of Istanbul Technical University-TRNC Education Research Campuses (Establishment, Duties, Operations, and Supervision) Law No. 38/2009 and the Framework Protocol for the Establishment of Istanbul Technical University's Education Research Campuses (ITU-TRNC) in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Law No. 5756.