At Near East University, one of the top 500 universities in the world, 40 academics promoted to professor, associate professor, and assistant professor ranks in 2025 will receive their certificates at a ceremony to be held on April 9th at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center. Following the ceremony, Zühre Özkaraman’s solo exhibition, “Games of My Memory,” will also be opened to art lovers.

The ceremony for the academics promoted to professor, associate professor, and assistant professor ranks at Near East University, which ranks among the top 500 universities in the world, will take place on Thursday, April 9th at 4:00 PM at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center. Following the ceremony, Zühre Özkaraman’s solo exhibition, “Games of My Memory”, will also be opened.

At the Academic Promotion Ceremony, a total of 40 academics from different faculties and departments of the university will receive their certificates, experiencing the pride of being promoted to the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor.

Following the ceremony, at 5:00 PM, artist Zühre Özkaraman’s solo painting exhibition titled “Games of My Memory” will be opened. The exhibition, which is the 481st exhibition of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum, features original works that bring together nature, memory, and emotions. The exhibition will be open to visitors at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center Exhibition Hall until May 8th.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Each academic title represents a new beginning where the responsibility of producing knowledge grows even greater.”

Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized that academic promotions are not only individual achievements but also one of the strongest indicators of institutional development, saying, “These titles, earned by our academics through hard work, determination, and scientific productivity, further advance our university’s research capacity and international visibility every day. Each promotion represents a new beginning where the responsibility for knowledge production grows even larger.”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ noted that combining academic achievement with art in the same program reflects the vision of Near East University, saying, “We do not see science as limited to laboratories; we consider art, culture, and intellectual production as an integral part of this whole. Completing this special day, where we celebrate the achievements of our academics, with art is a concrete demonstration of our understanding of building a multifaceted, productive, and aesthetically sensitive academic ecosystem.”

Prof. Erdoğan Ergün: “This exhibition offers not only an aesthetic experience but also a profound encounter on identity, belonging, and memory.”

Prof. Erdoğan Ergün, Rector’s Advisor at Near East University and Director of the GÜNSEL Art Museum, who curated the “Games of My Memory” exhibition to be opened after the Academic Promotion Ceremony, emphasized that the works of Turkish Cypriot artist Zühre Özkaraman build a strong bridge between local identity and universal narrative. Ergün said, “Games of My Memory” presents a multi-layered narrative bearing the traces of both individual and collective memory. The artist’s unique Cypriot cultural background and sensitivity transform into a universal language in her works, connecting with the art lovers.”

Prof. Erdoğan Ergün added, “This exhibition offers not only an aesthetic experience but also a profound encounter on identity, belonging, and memory. As the Cyprus Modern Art Museum, we are delighted to provide a space for such valuable Turkish Cypriot artists. I invite all our people to the opening of our exhibition.”