Near East University ranked 30th in the field of “Quality of Education”, leaving behind many universities worldwide, in the “2021 World University Impact Ranking” announced last week by the London-based international rating agency Times Higher Education (THE). Near East University ranked second among Turkish universities in this field and first in TRNC. The contribution of universities is measured in a sustainable development Times Higher Education lists the social and economic impacts of universities worldwide each year in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Among the UN Sustainable Development Goals are to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people live in peace and prosperity. There are many criteria in Times Higher Education’s ranking list by analyzing the contributions of universities around the world to achieve these goals. These criteria include “Health and Welfare”, “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” and “Education Quality”, “Gender Equality”, “Good Job and Economic Growth”, “Industry”, “Innovation and Infrastructure”. There are titles such as “Reduced Inequalities”, “Sustainable Cities and Communities”, “Responsible Consumption and Production”, “Climate Studies”, “Partnerships for Goals”. Times Higher Education aims to encourage universities around the world to contribute to a better life with its ranking. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “The prestigious place of Near East University in the world has been registered once again” Stating that the scientific capacity and productivity reached by Near East University has brought the prestige level of Near East University to an important level in the world, Near East University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel pointed out; “In the 2021 World Universities Impact Ranking announced by Times Higher Education, Near East University was ranked 30th in the world in the field of Quality of Education, second among universities of Turkey and first among the universities of the TRNC. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “As Near East University, we aim to contribute to development and play an active role in social transformation by combining our education and research vision with the 4th generation university principles and transforming the knowledge and research we produce into patents and products.” https://www.timeshighereducation.com/impactrankings#!/page/0/length/25/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/undefined

The article in which Near East University Faculty Members examined the reflections of children with down syndrome on cartoons was published in the International European Journal of Educational Research. Near East University Faculty Members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Assoc. Prof. Burak Gökbulut and Dr. Özlem Dağlı Gökbulut’s article titled “Reflection of Children with Down Syndrome on Cartoons: Samples of My Brother Ozi and Punky” was published in the European Journal of Educational Research, which is scanned by international indexes such as SCOPUS, ERICH and EBSCO. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut and Dr. Özlem Dağlı Gökbulut analyzed the cartoons named “My Brother Ozi” and “Punky”, which are based on the life of a 5-6 year old child with Down Syndrome. It is stated that children with Down Syndrome, who are the main characters in both cartoons, are represented as happy individuals who are loved by their families. The article puts forward that “The main characters in these cartoons play games with their siblings, watch television, go for a tour, do activities, and this situation is a good example in terms of behavior patterns for normally developing children who have special needs siblings.” Although cultural differences are reflected in cartoons, love stands out as the common denominator Comparing the two productions examined in the article, faculty members say that cultural differences are also reflected in cartoons. While Ozi’s family exhibits a “foster parenting style” in relation to the classical Turkish family structure, Punky is determined to act with a “democratic parenting style” based on a foreign culture. In the study where it was determined that the cartoons published reflect the different family structures and local culture in their own countries, “Although there are differences in both family types, it is seen that the children with Down Syndrome, who are the main characters, are accepted by their families and their families act with care and patience towards them. Based on this result, it is emphasized that the parenting attitudes of families in cartoons create role models for families with children with special needs and show how to approach their children.” Awareness is raised in children that they may have friends with special needs Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Assoc. Prof. Burak Gökbulut and Dr. Özlem Dağlı Gökbulut in their joint statement said that the main characters in both cartoons attend schools where their normally developing peers and siblings also attend inclusive education. Near East University Faculty Members said, “Reflecting the inclusive education environments in cartoons, which are considered as modern educational environments in the education of students with special needs, is extremely important in terms of creating an effective awareness in preparing the age group targeted by the cartoon for the fact that they may have friends with special needs in their classes. In the study, which stated that such cartoons, children’s movies and children’s programs are extremely important for the representation of individuals with special needs and for the target age group to gain awareness such as empathy, social acceptance and identification, it is emphasized that increasing such productions is vital for children with special needs.

The variants of the SARS-CoV-2 that caused the pandemic will determine the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected all over the world. New variants formed by the mutations of the virus stand out with their different features. The UK variant of which contagion is 70 percent greater has turned into the dominant variant causing more infections in the TRNC and Turkey in the last few months. Although there are dozens of variants of SARS-CoV-2 that cause COVID-19, especially two variants have been watched with concern all over the world recently: South Africa and Brazil variants. The main feature of these variants is that they are more resistant to existing COVID-19 vaccines being developed. Therefore, preventing the spread of these variants is closely related to the success of ongoing vaccination. An encouraging statement came from the Near East University, which started to carry out SARS-CoV-2 variant analyzes in its own laboratories. Near East University announced that no vaccine-resistant South African and Brazilian variants were found in the TRNC as a result of the analyzes performed with 50 samples previously diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 positive in COVID-19 PCR Diagnostic Laboratories. The most prominent feature of these variants is that they are resistant to existing vaccines. Existing vaccines may be ineffective in South African and Brazilian variants Local transfer of the South African variant has been confirmed in the USA, UK, Israel, and most European countries, including most of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is not yet clear whether the South African variant is more contagious or how it affects the course of the disease. However, it has been definitively established that this variant can partially survive immunity caused by other coronavirus variants and developed by vaccines. While there is no evidence that the South African variant causes a more severe disease, there is a risk of it spreading more rapidly due to the possibility of ineffectiveness of existing vaccines. The biggest concern is that this variant could further evolve and evade immunity completely, undermining vaccination efforts. Therefore, the Near East University’s determination that there are no South African and Brazilian variants in the TRNC gives hope in terms of showing that the vaccines that are used in the country will maintain their effectiveness. Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “The absence of South African and Brazilian variants is promising for the success of the ongoing vaccination studies” Saying that Near East University researchers closely monitor the SARS-CoV-2 variants spreading in the country with regular analyzes they performed in COVID-19 PCR Diagnostic Laboratories, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ put forward that South African and Brazilian variants, which are highly contagious and are more resistant to existing vaccines, have not been seen in the TRNC. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ made a statement that “The South African and Brazilian variants not being diagnosed in our country is promising for the success of the ongoing vaccination process.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çerkez Ergören: “The British variant continues its dominance” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çerkez Ergören, one of the staff of the Near East University COVID-19 PCR Diagnosis Laboratories, stated that in the analyzes they carried out they found that the British variant remained dominant in the TRNC. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çerkez Ergören commented on the issue as follows, “We determined that the British variant we first detected in January in TRNC was 70 percent dominant in the first three weeks of April.”

The groundbreaking event was realized with a magnificent ceremony for the second of the 6 public primary schools that the Near East Enterprises will establish for the children of the country, with a capacity of 500 students each. The groundbreaking ceremony of Dr. Suat Günsel İskele State Primary School was realized with the participation of Prime Minister Ersan Saner, within the framework of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations. In line with the decision of the Günsel Family Council, the foundation of Dr. Suat Günsel İskele State Primary School was laid with a magnificent ceremony in İskele. The foundation was laid in a ceremony befitting the enthusiasm of the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day that the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk presented to the children of the world 101 years ago. Dr. Suat Günsel İskele Public Primary School will have a capacity of 500 students. The fully-equipped school, of which all expenses will be invested by the Günsel Family, will be handed over to the TRNC Ministry of National Education and Culture Primary Education Department after its completion. The foundation of the first public primary school to be built by the Near East Enterprises, Dr. Suat Günsel Gönyeli State Primary School which will be opened in September 2021, was laid in Gönyeli Yenikent on March 19. The second public primary school built in Iskele region is planned to be completed within six months and made ready for education. After Nicosia and Iskele, the investments of other public primary schools with a capacity of 500 students to be built in Kyrenia, Famagusta, Güzelyurt and Lefke will start with the determination of the locations of their lands. Prime Minister Ersan Saner, Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu, Minister of Finance Dursun Oğuz, Minister of Public Works and Transport Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Health Ünal Üstel, Minister of Labor and Social Security Koral Çağman, MPs, undersecretaries, district governors, mayors, ministry directors and many guests attended to the ceremony. The groundbreaking ceremony of Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School, held on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, started with Şehit İlker Karter Primary School students Doğa Aydın’s speech and Sezgin Orkun’s poetry reading. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East Enterprises Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Mayor of İskele Hasan Sadıkoğlu, Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu and Prime Minister Ersan Saner made speeches, respectively. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “The foundation we have laid will, in one sense, reinforce our national sovereignty in our beautiful country; On the other hand, it will strengthen our hope for a better future for our children” Starting his speech by saying that Dr. Suat Günsel İskele State Primary School’s foundation was laid on a meaningful day such as 23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel continued his speech; “The foundation we have laid will, in one sense, reinforce our national sovereignty in our beautiful country; On the other hand, it will strengthen our hope for a better future we aim to establish for our children. The fact that such a foundation is laid on the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day increases our pride, hope and happiness one more time. Not so much, just 4 months ago, when we decided in the Günsel Family Council to build 6 state primary schools in 6 districts of our country, this was our biggest goal.” Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said that they have made every investment and effort for the same purpose in order to strengthen the economy, culture, health and art of the country, especially education, without leaving the country for 43 years. Prof. Dr. Günsel continued his speech pointing out that the second phase of the establishment of the Near East Yeniboğaziçi Campus Library, Cyprus Museum of Modern Art, Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque and GÜNSEL production facilities will be made soon. Referring to the investments they have made in the field of health, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel stated, “We continue to develop projects that will bring the scientific knowledge of the Near East and Kyrenia Universities to the service of our people and humanity.” Remind that they have been a project and patent partner in the development phase of Protective Nasal Spray, which started to be used in Italy, Prof. Dr. Günsel said that they will soon start to produce the spray in our country, too. Informing that the necessary infrastructure and agreements have been completed to produce the Protective Nasal Spray, Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “With the completion of the necessary legal permit process, we will be ready to start production in our own country with our own brand.” Stating that they have completed the necessary research and development processes to produce PCR diagnostic kits, which have an important place in combating pandemics and have been available from abroad until today, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “I would like to announce with great pride that we are at the point where we can produce our own PCR kits in our country.” Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said that Near East University ranked 30th in the world in the field of education quality in the “2021 World Universities Impact Ranking” announced by Times Higher Education this week. “We always regarded family unity, territorial integrity, and integrity between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Turkey as indispensable. The only and essential foundation of our existence is to be whole and thus to stand strong. This is our ultimate principle.” saying Prof. Dr. Suat Günsel, ended his speech “I wish our Public Schools to be beneficial to all our children and I congratulate the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day with my sincere feelings.” Hasan Sadıkoğlu: “We are delighted to be a part of a project like Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School.” Expressing his great pleasure to be a part of a project such as Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School, İskele Mayor Hasan Sadıkoğlu said, “While working on what we can do to meet the increasing school need in our district, Günsel Family decided to build a state primary school in 6 districts of our country and preferring to establish the second one in our district made us very happy.” Saying that they continue to work in consultation with the Ministry of National Education and Culture to meet the needs of the schools in their districts, Sadıkoğlu said, “We thank the Günsel Family on behalf of our children.” Olgun Amcaoğlu: “Last night, I had a hard time sleeping with the excitement of a 23rd April child, as we will bring an investment like Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School to the east of our country.” Beginning his speech by celebrating the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day of all children, Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu emphasized that Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School is the 10th school project implemented in the country in the last three years. Saying “The child is the light, the child is our future, the child is love, and the child is our lifeblood,” Olgun Amcaoğlu, continued his speech as follows; ” Building a new school in line with the initiative of the Günsel Family and the support of the İskele Municipality, Dr. Suat Günsel İskele State Primary School will meet a very important need of the region.” Reminding that they laid the foundation of the 10th school in 3 years, Minister Amcaoğlu said that they also established science laboratories in 48 primary schools and renewed the infrastructure of 52 laboratories in 32 schools, adding that they will reconstruct the Cyprus Turkish State Theaters building, which burned 21 years ago, and bring it into cultural life. “As we will bring an investment like Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School to the east of our country, I had a hard time sleeping last night with the excitement of a 23rd April child. Dr. Suat Günsel also gave the good news that the foundations of the third of the state primary schools will be laid in Kyrenia.” Ersan Saner: “For these precious schools, I would like to thank the whole Günsel Family before Dr. Suat Günsel.” Reminding that 101 years ago Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk presented April 23 to the children of the world with a visionary perspective, Prime Minister Ersan Saner said “On this meaningful day, in a region in the east of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, we are very happy to lay the foundations of Dr. Suat Günsel State Primary School. Dr. Suat Günsel in conversation we realized prior to the ceremony said that Turkey’s Grand National Assembly also was opened at 14.00 on a Friday, like today. This information has made even more the meaning of the foundation we have laid here today.” Stating that Günsel Family will realize 6 school projects in 6 districts of our country and these schools will stand out as the new educational shrines where our children, who are the wealth of our future, will be raised, Prime Minister Saner said, “For these precious schools, in the presence of Dr. Suat Günsel, I would like to thank the whole Günsel Family.” Sharing the information that İskele Turkish Maarif College is also at the stage of completion, Ersan Saner said, “As a government that attaches great importance to education, we will open this school in the near future.”

Near East University Radio, Television and Cinema Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap was invited to the jury of the Documentary Film Competition held within the scope of the International Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival. The Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival, which has been organized since 2000, will meet with moviegoers for the 21st time this year between 20-25 June. Films in the categories of feature films, short films and documentaries will meet with the audience at the Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival, which aims to bring together foreign audiences by contributing to the promotion of Turkish cinema abroad. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap will take part at the Competition Jury Near East University Communication Faculty Radio, Television and Cinema Department Head Assoc. Prof. Fevzi Kasap was invited to the jury of the “Documentary Film Competition” organized within the scope of the festival. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap, producer Dilde Mahalli, documentary director Ümran Safter and Ömür Gedik will also take part at the jury of which the head will be Prof. Dr. Burak Buyan. Turkish films through the eyes of German filmmakers Explaining that 47 percent of the audience potential in Frankfurt is of German origin and the other audience consists of German citizens of third and fourth generation Turkish origin, the festival executive board expresses that they want to offer a new perspective to the Turkish cinema industry. The theme of the “Feature Film Competition”, which will be held for the 9th time in the 21-year festival history, has been determined as “Turkish Films with the Eyes of German Filmmakers” this year. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap: “Turkish film festivals held abroad play an important role in increasing the interest of Turkish films in the European market” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap, who will take part at the jury of the film festival, commented on the festival; “Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival, which has been successfully held for 21 years, and other Turkish film festivals held abroad play an important role in the increase of interest in Turkish films in the European market”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kasap said, “It is an honor to take part in the distinguished jury of the Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival, in which very important works are shared.

37-year-old Gülnara Elmuradova learned from the examinations performed at the Near East University Hospital, where she applied with complaints of inguinal pain and abdominal bloating, that she had 13 myomas, a total of approximately 1.5 kg. All myomas of the patient were removed through a 2-hour surgery performed by the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 37-year-old Gülnara Elmuradova, who applied to the Near East University Hospital due to inguinal pain and abdominal bloating, was shocked when she learned the truth revealed by the examinations. As a result of the ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, many giant myomas filling the entire abdomen of Elmuradova were detected. Gülnara Elmuradova regained her health after a successful operation conducted by Near East University Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Department specialist Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlen Emekçi Özay. Dr. Özlen Emekçi Özay said that although myomas are benign masses, they had reached a giant size and that they were surgically removed. Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlen Emekçi Özay: “Myomas were removed while protecting the uterus” The continuation of Gülnara Elmuradova’s desire to become a mother determined the course of the surgery. A total of 13 fibroids with a total weight of approximately 1.5 kilograms, the largest reaching 14 centimeters, were removed by the operation in which the uterus of the patient was preserved. Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlen Emekçi Özay reported that all myomas were removed through a 10-centimeter small surgical incision applied to the lower abdomen. Although rare, fibroids can cause infertility Myomas, which are generally benign masses, arise from the muscular layer of the uterus. Myomas that do not cause any complaints are very common in women and are detected incidentally during routine gynecological examinations. Fibroids can be a problem due to their size, number and location. Myomas, which can often give additional symptoms in proportion to growth, excessive menstrual bleeding, menstrual irregularity and abdominal pain, bleeding after sexual intercourse, inter-menstrual bleeding, frequent urination, abdominal enlargement or swelling, menstrual periods or during sexual intercourse It may cause anemia due to excessive bleeding and pain towards the coccyx. Myomas that cover the mouth of the tubes or uterus, on the other hand, may cause infertility. Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlen Emekçi Özay: “Myomas that cause obvious complaints must be treated” Stating that generally small myomas that do not cause complaints do not require surgery, Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlen Emekçi Özay said, “Despite this, myomas that cause significant complaints, affect fertility, or that can be confused with cancer or similar malignant tumors require surgical treatment.”

The first stage of the “Future Arbitration Lawyer Competition” held by the Istanbul Arbitration Center on mediation was held. Near East University Faculty of Law of Demet Demirci received the “Best Negotiator at the competition to which 18 universities from Turkey and the TRNC, 21 teams and 109 people attended. This year 18 universities participated with 21 teams at the competition which was organized for the bachelor of law faculties and graduate students in Turkey and TRNC. The 5th competition was held online due to pandemic conditions. Demet Demirci: “We crowned our labor with the first place” Near East University Faculty of Law student Demet Demirci achieved great success by winning the “Best Negotiator” award in the Future Arbitration Lawyer Competition, in which she competed with 109 people from 18 universities. Commenting on her achievement Demet Demirci said “We crowned our efforts with the first place. We are very happy to represent Near East University in the best possible way. I would like to thank all my professors, especially Assist. Prof. Dr. Aysun Beydola, who was with us in this process.” Assist. Prof. Dr. Aysun Beydola: “Together, we have achieved great success!” Near East University Faculty of Law team manager Assist. Prof. Dr. Aysun Beydola in her statement regarding the competition stated that the practice of Mediation-Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution method that has the characteristics of mediation and arbitration, and stated that mediation and arbitration are used gradually in the same litigation process in this method. Stating that they aim to gain experience in mediation and arbitration, which are being used much more effectively in today’s legal understanding, Assist. Prof. Dr. Beydola stated that the “Future Arbitration Lawyer Competition” organized by the Istanbul Arbitration Center creates an important opportunity for this. Congratulating Demet Demirci, the student who won the “Best Negotiator” award in the competition, Assist. Prof. Dr. Beydola said, “All together, we have achieved a great success! I am proud of you all.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yeter Tabur: “We are proud that our students have made such great achievements” Saying, “With our virtual courtroom we have created, we aim to ensure that our students learn the practice of the work without being limited to only theoretical knowledge,” Near East University Faculty of Law Deputy Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yeter Tabur said, “By following the developments in the world, we aim to ensure that our students are active not only nationally but also internationally. We are proud that our students have made such great achievements.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tabur said, “First of all, I congratulate all team members, including Aysun Beydola, and our student Demet Demirci, who achieved great success by receiving the “Best Negotiator” award.”