Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, presented its traditional Science Awards for the 10th time in eight main categories. The Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal, which will be awarded to all universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus next year, and subsequently to Turkey and the world, was awarded to Prof. Dr. Şerife Zihni Eyüpoğlu.
The Science Awards, which have become a tradition at Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world and the 39th most influential university globally, to encourage scientific productivity, were presented in a magnificent ceremony. At the ceremony held in the Atatürk Culture and Congress Hall of Near East University, the recipients of the “Near East University Science Awards”, held for the 10th time this year, and the “Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal”, given for the fifth time in the science category, were announced. At the Near East University Science Awards, 118 academics were honored in 8 main categories; Prof. Dr. Şerife Zihni Eyüpoğlu was awarded the Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal. Prof. Dr. Eyüpoğlu received her medal from Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Institution.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu; the Rector of Kyrenia University, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu; the Rector of International Final University, Prof. Dr. Orhan Gemikonaklı; YÖDAK Member Prof. Dr. Remziye Terkan; the Deputy Head of the Civil Defence Organization, Adil Runi Şahbaz; and the Lefkoşa Regional Director of the Civil Defence Organization, Mustafa Duyal.
The ceremony, which began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, included speeches by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel. İrfan Suat Günsel and Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ delivered speeches. A video message from the AI-based academician Prof. DUX was also delivered at the ceremony. Prof. DUX said, “As an artificial intelligence, I have no limits in accessing information. However, today I see very clearly that true success is built not only on data, but also on dedication, hard work, and curiosity. Everyone in this hall is living proof of this.”
The Recipient of the Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal: Prof. Dr. Şerife Zihni Eyüpoğlu
One of the most significant moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the “Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal”,which honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the scientific world. The prestigious award, which is awarded only once in a lifetime and is being given for the fifth time this year, was presented to Prof. Dr. Şerife Eyüpoğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Near East University. Eyüpoğlu received his medal from Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Institution.
The “Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal”, named after Dr. Suat Günsel, the Founding Rector of Near East University, is given to honor scientists who have made a mark on an international scale with their scientific studies, made lasting contributions to humanity’s common knowledge, and served as an inspiration in the scientific world. Those deemed worthy of the award also serve as ex officio members of the Advisory Board of the Near East Institution Board of Trustees. The Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal was awarded to Prof. Dr. Fadi Al-Turjman in 2022, Prof. Dr. Evren Hınçal in 2023, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özdeşer in 2024, and Prof. Dr. İlker Etikan in 2025.
118 Awards Given in Eight Main Categories!
This year, the Near East University Science Awards were evaluated in eight main categories in accordance with a renewed methodology. Awards were given in the categories of “Quality Publication Award”, “Early Career Achievement Award”, “Productivity Achievement Award”, “Citation Achievement Award”, “Doctoral Thesis Supervisor Achievement Award”, “Interdisciplinary Publication Awards”, “Sustainability Awards” and “Excellence in Education Award”. These awards highlighted various dimensions of academic output, and a total of 118 scientists were recognized for their scientific achievements. Additionally, certificates of appreciation were presented to 23 academics who received awards at international scientific events representing Near East University during 2025.
Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu: “The greatest investment in the future is the investment in people and science.”
Expressing his pleasure at being present at the Near East University Science Awards Ceremony, Minister of Labor and Social Security Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said, “The value given to science, and the place of scientists in working life and the world of education, is extremely important to us. Because I value this effort and the contribution you have made, I wanted to be with you today.” Stating that scientific studies guide the development of societies, Hasipoğlu added, “Every study awarded here today is a valuable investment in the future. Every new piece of knowledge produced by scientists will contribute to building stronger societies.”
Hasipoğlu stated that the TRNC has created a significant brand value in higher education, adding that universities are not only institutions that provide education, but also centers that produce science, develop technology, and contribute to the country’s development. He noted that Near East University also makes significant contributions to the country’s scientific world through its scientific research. Pointing out that the future of working life is built on knowledge, technology, and qualified human resources, Hasipoğlu said, “Science is power and development, and qualified people are the future. The greatest investment in the future is the investment in people and science.”
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “Every success we reward is a new legacy that will take its place in the memory of tomorrow.”
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Institution, emphasized in his speech that Near East University’s nearly half-century journey has been built on collaborative effort, scientific production, and a strong institutional culture. He cited the ceiling paintings in the old rectorate building, which bear witness to the university’s past, as an example. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “Institutions, just like people, have memories. Every achievement we are awarding here tonight is a new legacy that will take its place in the memory of tomorrow.” He added that the reason Near East University is among the world’s best and most influential universities today is due to the production culture it has built over the years.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Günsel also announced an important piece of news: the Dr. Suat Günsel Honorary Award Gold Medal, which has been given exclusively to Near East University academics for the past five years, will be opened to scientists from all institutions in Northern Cyprus, then to Turkey, and finally to the international academic world, starting next year. Stating that “science is a boundless endeavor”, Prof. Dr. Günsel said that the award will become a prestigious international point of reference honoring scientists who contribute to humanity. İrfan Suat Günsel concluded his speech by congratulating all the award-winning scientists, stating, “Near East University, with the courage it derives from its founding values and adhering to the universal values of science, will continue to produce, question, and serve humanity.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Science is a journey undertaken shoulder to shoulder by generations.”
Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, in his speech, touched upon the millennia-long development process of science, emphasizing that the scientific and technological level humanity has reached today has been shaped by the joint contributions of different civilizations. Stating that science is not a legacy possessed solely by any single society, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Science is the collective memory of humanity. No discovery can rise without the support of those who came before it.” Noting that fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and biotechnology are causing the fastest transformation in human history, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ added that the essence of science remains unchanged; it stems from curiosity, questioning, seeking evidence, and producing knowledge for the common good of humanity.
Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ emphasized that Near East University is a research university that not only defends but also lives by the principles of academic freedom, merit, and scientific collaboration, stating that its ranking among the world’s top 500 and 39 most influential universities is a result of this understanding. At the end of his speech, he congratulated the award-winning academics, saying, “Every scientist we honor here today is a link in the great scientific journey that spans generations. Science is longer than the lives of the people who carry it and is a powerful promise given to future generations.”
