Centering on ITU’s 250 year old deep-rooted past and its pioneering role in Turkey’s modernization journey, this work illuminates the period extending from the final era of the empire to the foundation of the Republic through the testimonies of Mustafa Şevki Atayman, an 1897 graduate of Hendese-i Mülkiye Mektebi. Moving beyond technical engineering experiences, the study reflects the social atmosphere of the period with snippets from local government structures, economic conditions, and daily life, serving as a unique historical document. This third edition, published by ITU Press, carries the institutional memory into the future with the university's vision of scientific and social responsibility, while offering an enriched and reliable primary source for researchers and history enthusiasts.