Harvard University Vehbi Koç Chair of Turkish Studies, the chair established in 1997, with contributions from the government of Republic of Turkey and Koç Holding, with the aim of supporting international research and learning about the history, culture, civilization, and social and economic development of Turkey.
In 1995, the agreement on the foundation of the Turkish Studies Chair was signed by Harvard University and the government of Turkey, who donated 750,000 dollars to the university for the purpose. Koç Holding undertook the project, donating 1,750,000 dollars to Harvard to ensure that the professorship began as soon as possible. The professorship was created at the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences, on November 7, 1997, under the chairmanship of Professor Cemal Kafadar. Harvard’s Ottoman and Turkish Studies website was also established within the remit of the professorship.