The 1st International Symposium on Mediterranean World Studies was held on October 21-22, 2016. The Symposium brought many native and foreign scientists together to share their studies on social sciences relevant to the Mediterranean Basin/World. According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the Near East University, İrfan Günsel Research Center was represented with three articles at the symposium. The first presentation was made by Dr. Nazım Kaşot and Exp. Hüseyin Tufan on ‘History of Environmental Education in Cyprus’. This study comprises information on environmental issues that covered by the curricula of agriculture schools, forestry schools, primary education, secondary education and higher education facilities in Cyprus so far. The data collected by the study may prevent the repetition of past mistakes and pave the way towards developing different and more efficient environmental education curricula. The study conducted by experts Hüseyin Tufan and Mete Özsezer was presented under the title of ‘A correspondence that has an important place in the history of Cyprus’. The study provides data regarding the correspondence between Suat Hayri Ürgüplü, the Prime Minister of the 11th Government of Turkey, and George Brown, the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs of the UK. The study conducted by Exp. Mete Özsezer was presented as the third presentation under the title of ‘The Founder of Shakespeare School: Nejmi Sagıp Bodamyalızade also known as Feylozof’. The study provides information regarding the life of Nejmi Sagıp Bodamyalızade and highlights how Shakespeare School paved the way towards spreading and widening education of English across the island. İrfan Günsel Research Center members extended their appreciations to Prof. Dr. Ali Eftal Özkul, the Head of NEU History Teaching, faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Güneyli, and NEU Grand Library vice Director İsmet Aksular and personnel for their contributions.

Representing our country in FIBA EuroCup Women Group D, Near East University Women’s Basketball Team won a historic victory at the first match by defeating Olympiacos from Greece by a score of 55-53. Competing in FIBA EuroCup Women for the first time, the Near East University has gained its first victory with a significant win. Excitement was so high…. According to press info released by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the Near East University, the match took place in Makis Liougas Sports Hall in Glyfada – Athens. It was a high tempo and breathtaking match and the competition of the two teams was the scene of exciting moments. Starting the first period with a high performance, the home team Olympiacos outscored 6-0 in the first five minutes. However, NEU’s versatile players picked themselves up and began to fightback with tough defense and domination in rebounds. The team pointers such as Olcay Çakır began to get inside the paint and drive to the basket. Through a serial lead, the Near East University outscored 7-6. The period in which both team experienced too many turnovers ended with the win of Olympiacos 12-10. The second period was the scene of a tough match. Both teams exhibited high performance and fought toe to toe to outscore. The first half ended with a tied score; 30-30. During the third period, NEU could score 8 points while Olympiacos scored 11 points and outscored 41-38. We lead in the final 5 seconds The final period of the game was breathtaking. Olympiacos with the support of its fans tried hard to grasp and get the game. However, NEU’s resistance and strong team spirit was striking. In the very final minute of the match the score was tied to 53-53. During the final 5 seconds, NEU player Quanitra Hollingsworth was stopped with a foul in the free throw zone. After players lining up for free throw, Quanitra Hollingsworth threw two consecutive shots and scored two points. Upon the final whistle of the match, NEU players left the court with a historic victory by defeating its opponent 55-53.

Near East University and Doğanlar Holding have signed a cooperation agreement regarding cyber defense. Within the frame of the concluded agreement, the parties will conduct joint projects on cyber security in global scales. In order to conduct joint projects aiming at increasing the level of data security and protection against cyber threats, Near East University has signed a cyber defense cooperation agreement with Doğanlar Holding. Focusing on current and future challenges along with projected solutions, Near East University Near East Institution and UITSEC Technology under the body of Doğan Holding will carry out the joint research study projects to procure and develop cyber security Cyber security training and applications will be carried out According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the Near East University, within the frame of the cyber security cooperation agreement, the studies would be diversified so as to cover topics such as uncovering cyber security vulnerabilities, procuring acute and radical solutions to prevent these vulnerabilities, and developing proactive cyber security strategies. Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel: Once again, in the light of science, we are making a dream true in our country Touching upon the importance of scientific cooperation, the Near East University Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel stated that they had signed a very significant agreement regarding cooperation in cyber security which has a global importance in our era. “In the line with the technological developments and growing needs, many sectors including but not limited to education, finance/banking and communication, have become more dependent on technology and novel solutions of Information Communications Technology in order to ensure quality, effective and efficient services. Along with technological developments, cyber threats and attacks have become more common and sophisticated than ever. Consequently, it becomes a must to rely on a strong and resilient cyber defense. Today, with our valued project partners coming from Turkey, we are realizing a first that is very important for our country and region. We believe that the joint studies to be conducted within the frame of the concluded agreement will provide very significant contributions in ensuring and developing both our country’s and the region’s cyber security infrastructure. As in many other areas, once again, we are experiencing the joy of embodying an outstanding project and making another dream come true in the light of scientific data and methods” said he.

Organized by the Turkish Society of Urology, the 25th National Urology Congress and the 14th International Prostate Forum was held in Acapulco Resort Hotel-Kyrenia on 6-9 October, 2016. The Near East University Scientific Research Project (SRP) Coordinator Prof. Dr. Seda Vatansever and her team participated in the event with an oral presentation. The presentation received great interest of the attending body and was deemed worthy for the first prize. According to the press info released by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the Near East University, the 25th National Urology Congress was realized with vast participation of academics, technicians and scholars involved in the field. The congress provided platform for keynote speakers and panels with oral and poster presentations. 429 oral or poster presentations were made during various panels. Participating in the ‘Updating Andrology’ panel, Prof. Dr. Seda Vatansever and her team including Zafer Kozacıoğlu, Tuna Önal, Necip Kutlu, Fehmi Özel, Bülent Günlüsoy, and Bilal Habeş Gümüş presented their study on ‘Physiological and Histological Analysis of the Relation of Dorsal Penile Nerve with Corpus Cavernosum. Is it a New Pathway in Erectile Innervations?’ The oral presentation was deemed eligible and awarded with the first prize.

After twenty one years, Near East University realizes the graduation ceremony posponed due to terrific fire in Beşparmak Mountains in 1995. According to the press info release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the graduation ceremony was held in Near East University Grand Library, Hall 4. It was pointed out that the Founding Rector of Near East University, Dr. Suat İ.Günsel; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel; Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan; Prime Minister in 1995 Hakkı Atun; Rector of University of Kyrenia Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu; Rector of University of Cyprus Social Sciences Prof. Dr. İsmail Güleç; Vice Rectors of Near East University Prof. Dr. Şenol Bektaş, Prof.Dr. Fahreddin Sadıkoğlu, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ; Academic Members, Graduates of 1995 and their families attended the ceremony. Prior to the opening speeches of the graduation ceremony, a message from Lieutenant General of Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Ömer Paç regarding the graduation ceremony was read. Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan; “The graduates have turned back the time!” Making the opening speech of the ceremony, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, stated that the graduates had turned back the time to live a day they had missed in the past due to the great fire of the Beşparmak Mountains. “She has become the Head of Department of the Department she graduated 21 Years Ago!” Making a speech on behalf of the graduating students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadire Çavuş, who has actually become the Head of Department of Informatics which she had graduated from 21 years ago, could not hold her back her tears. She expressed that she was very proud and expressed many thanks to the Founding Rector of Near East University for providing everybody the opportunity to study at the university. We are honoured and very proud to see our graduates from 21 years ago in their graduation gowns all as successful individuals… Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S.Günsel said that they were sharing a joy which they should have shared 21 years ago. He added that 21 years ago, they had to cancel the graduation ceremony due to one of the most devastating events in Cyprus, the fire of the Beşparmak Mountains. Furthermore, he expressed that they, as the Near East University family were rather pleased to have found the opportunity to make up for the graduates’ lost day and welcomed all the graduates of 1995. After the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S.Günsel completed his speech, a very emotional moment was experienced as the Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İ.Günsel presented the diploma to the wife of a graduate who had passed away, Urcan Vangöl’s wife Ender Denktaş Vangöl. Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ.Günsel said: “Always imagine yourselves at a better point in life and trust in yourselves knowing that you are competent individuals. Be proud of not the things that you have already accomplished in life but of things that you are yet to accomplish!” Making a speech, the Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat Günsel addressed the graduates and said that as the graduates registered to the university, they had actually seen through the future ahead, thinking 5 years ahead of time. Moreover, he said that the graduates now found the opportunity to experience a moment which they could not due to the devastating event on the island. He gave examples from his own studentship years and said that he was not very good at writing summary notes as he studied. However, now it felt as he was summarising 21 years. He advised them to be proud of not the things that they have already accomplished in life but of things that they were yet to accomplish! Subsequent to the speeches, plaques were presented by Founding Rector of Near East University Dr.Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S.Günsel and the Association of the Graduates, which was later followed by the giving of diplomas to the graduates of 1995. Then, the moment they had all been waiting for over the past 21 years came and the graduates threw their caps in the air with great joy. Later on, photographs were taken of the graduates and their tutors. The ceremony ended with a reception given at the Foyer of the Near East University Grand Library in honour of the graduates of 1995.

The first musical event of the Academic Year 2016-2017 will be realized by the Phonetic Projections Artist Group is realizing with the contributions of the Near East University. The event will be held at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center (AKKM) at 20:00 on Friday, October 28, 2016. A vast participation is expected as many reputable figures including musicians and poets will take the stage at the night. Yeşim Beyaz İlkan, the founder of the group, will deliver the opening speech and then poets including Altay Burağan, Arif Albayrak, İlkay Adalı, Feyzan Korur, Mehmet Levent, Nurperi Özgener, Sema Vehbi Yıldız and Talat Ürer will take the stage respectively and voice their poems accompanied by music. The famous Turkish actor Cihan Ünal will participate in the night as a guest. Yeşim Beyaz İlkan with her piano and Alev Arsal with her guitar and songs will also take the stage and make it an unforgettable night for the audiences.

Near East University is hosting the 1st International Mediterranean Research Symposium with the support of University of Kyrenia, Faculty of Literature Department of History from Ege University, and Turkish History Institution. According to the press info release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, an opening ceremony was held for the symposium at the Near East University Grand Library, Hall 4. It was added that the Minister of National Education and Minister of Culture Özdemir Berova; Director of Turkish History Institution Prof. Dr. Refik Turan; Rector of Istanbul University Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak; Rector of University of Kyrenia Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu; and Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Şenol Bektaş had honoured the opening ceremony. In addition to the above, it was stated that the opening ceremony had started with a minute’s silence, followed by the National Anthem alongside a mini concert. Subsequently, opening speeches were made by Chairman of the Symposium and Head of Department of History of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul. Later, Director of Turkish History Institution Prof. Dr. Refik Turan; Rector of Istanbul University Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak; and Minister of National Education and Minister of Culture Özdemir Berova also made speeches. Subsequent to the speeches, the opening ceremony was completed by the presentation of gifts from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel, to: Director of Turkish History Institution Prof. Dr. Refik Turan and Rector of Istanbul University Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak. It was pointed out that around 50 presentations will be presented at the 1st Mediterranean Symposium.