The Confucius Institute (CI) at the Middle East Technical University (METU) is the first of its kind in Turkey. It operates under an agreement between the Middle East Technical University and the Office of Chinese Language Council International (HANBAN) in China, in partnership with Xiamen University. The Confucius Institute at METU is a result of a long term consultation and cooperation between HANBAN, Xiamen University and the Middle East Technical University with the help of the Chinese Embassy in Ankara. An agreement between METU and HANBAN for the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the Middle East Technical University was signed in Ankara on June 4th, 2007. The Implementation Agreement to Cooperate in the Establishment of a Confucius Institute at Middle East Technical University was signed by Prof. Ahmet Acar, President of METU, and Prof. Zhu Zhiwen, Chairman of Xiamen University Council, on November 27th, 2008. The Confucius Institute was inaugurated on November 28th, 2008 with the attendance of Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The Confucius Institute at METU is attached to the Presidency Office. The administrative board of CI at METU consists of 6 professors, including Turkish and Chinese directors. The daily coordination and management is regulated and administrated by the Chinese and Turkish directors. Besides the administrative board, there is an assistant to the directors, and teachers of Chinese.