Yahya El Mouahhid, a student at the Faculty of Communication of Near East University, won first place in the Student Category with his animated film “COIN” in the Animation Film Competition, which featured 70 entries from various countries.

Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, continues to make a name for itself with the international success of its students. Yahya El Mouahhid, a first-year student from the Film Production and Broadcasting Department of the Faculty of Communication of Near East University, won the first place in the Student Category at the International Cyprus University Animation Film Competition, held for the first time this year.

The competition, themed “Sustainable Development and Sustainable Living,” received a total of 70 entries from various countries. The entries were assessed in three separate categories: General Category, Student Category, and Special Award for Animated Films Produced with Artificial Intelligence. At the award ceremony held on the UKU campus, Yahya El Mouahhid was awarded first place in the Student Category for his work “COIN.”

The competition, which aimed to encourage viewers to draw attention to global issues using the power of animation, saw Yahya El Mouahhid’s award-winning work addressing the widening gap in income distribution and the selfishness and ruthlessness between individuals, offering viewers a strong awareness of social inequality and global problems.

Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap: “We will continue to encourage our students to develop their imagination and talents without limits.”

Prof. Dr. Fevzi Kasap, Dean of the Faculty of Communication of Near East University, said, “As Near East University, it is a great source of pride for us to see our students present themselves on international platforms. I wholeheartedly congratulate our student Yahya El Mouahhid. Yahya’s work, ‘COIN,’ offers viewers a strong awareness of social inequality and global problems. This work is also a wonderful example of young talents demonstrating their artistic and social sensitivity.”

Prof. Dr. Kasap added that the Faculty of Communication has adopted a vision of continuously developing and supporting students’ talents. Fevzi Kasap said, “This achievement is a concrete proof of our educational philosophy and interdisciplinary approach. The environment we provide for our young people to present their creativity, social awareness, and unique perspectives forms the basis of such achievements. We will continue to encourage our students to develop their imagination and talents without limits.”

Yahya El Mouahhid: “It is a great honor for me to receive this award.”

Yahya El Mouahhid, a first-year student from the Film Production and Broadcasting Department of the Faculty of Communication of Near East University, said, “For me, animation is not just an art form; it is also one of the most powerful ways to convey a message. While preparing this work, I thought on human behavior and social injustice, and I tried to tell this in a way that would make the viewer feel it.”

Concluding his speech, Yahya El Mouahhid also thanked the faculty members, saying, “The education at the Near East University Faculty of Communication and the guidance of my teachers inspired me to turn my dreams into reality. This success is the result of the combined efforts of both myself and our faculty.”