Sabancı University was founded by the Sabancı Foundation, the largest family foundation in Turkey, under the leadership of the Sabancı Group in 1994. In 1995, a search conference was held with the vision of creating a "world university," bringing together over 50 scholars, researchers, students, and business leaders from 22 countries and various disciplines. During this conference, the philosophy of the university, "Creating and Developing Together," was established.

Following the conference, design committees supported by student trend research began their work. Thirteen design committees were formed within an interdisciplinary framework, working on programs and courses. Additionally, to establish the university's business processes and management structure, the University Administration Project was launched in collaboration with the consultancy firm Deloitte & Touche.

As a result of these design efforts, Sabancı University developed a unique and original university model rather than emulating an existing one.

The university's groundbreaking ceremony took place on July 31, 1997, and in October 1998, it applied for membership in the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). Sabancı University became the first university from Turkey to apply for and be accepted as a member of EFQM. It welcomed its first students in October 1999. Today, Sabancı University is a model for many universities both in Turkey and abroad.