The first rector of Istanbul Technical University was Osman Tevfik Taylan. The incumbent president is Mehmet Karaca.
| President | Tenure | Area of specialty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944–1948 | |||
| 1948–1949 | |||
| 1949–1951 1955–1956 | Electrical engineering | ||
| 1951–1953 | Architecture | ||
| 1953–1954 | Electrical engineering | ||
| 1954–1955 | |||
| 1956–1957 | Physics and chemistry | ||
| 1957–1959 | Civil engineering | ||
| 1959–1962 | Mechanical engineering | ||
| 1962–1963 | |||
| 1963–1965 | |||
| 1965–1969 | Telecommunications engineering | ||
| 1969–1970 | Geological engineering | ||
| 1970–1974 | |||
| 1974–1977 1980–1987 | |||
| 1977–1980 | Civil engineering | ||
| 1987–1992 | Civil engineering | ||
| 1992-1996 | |||
| 1996–2004 | Architecture | ||
| 2004–2008 | Civil engineering | ||
| 2008–2012 | Geodesy and photogrammetry engineering | ||
| 2012–2020 | Geological engineering | ||
| 2020– | Environmental engineering[1] |