Near East University, which hosts international students from over 30 countries on its campus through exchange programs, also sent its own students to participate in clinical training and research studies in 24 different countries, representing Northern Cyprus on an international platform.

Adopting internationalization as a fundamental element of its education and research vision, Near East University continues to offer its students opportunities to gain academic and professional experience in various countries. In this context, Near East University Faculty of Medicine students gain clinical training and scientific research experience in various countries around the world through the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) Clinical Exchange Program (SCOPE) and Research Exchange Program (SCORE).

Within the scope of the programs conducted through the Medical Students Association of Northern Cyprus (MSANC), established under the leadership of Near East University, 24 students studying medicine at Near East University participated in the SCOPE and SCORE Exchange Programs. Through clinical internships and scientific research projects, students both improved their professional knowledge and skills and had the opportunity to observe the health systems of different countries firsthand. Seven students from Kyrenia University also participated in the exchange program.

As part of the exchange program, students received training at universities, teaching hospitals, and research centers in 24 different countries, including Germany, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Croatia, Netherlands, Hungary, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Egypt, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and Jordan.

They are being trained with a global health vision!

In addition to academic gains, the exchange program allows students to get to know different cultures closely, establish lasting friendships with medical students from various countries around the world, and develop their international professional networks. In this way, future physicians are being trained as individuals with high cultural awareness, open to international collaborations, and adaptable to a global understanding of health.

Prof. Dr. Dudu Özkum Yavuz: “Our university’s internationalization vision is strengthened every year with student exchange programs.”

Near East University Students Office Dean Prof. Dr. Dudu Özkum Yavuz stated that international exchange programs play a significant role in the academic and professional development of students, saying, “Thanks to the exchange programs conducted under the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), our students have the opportunity to observe the health systems of different countries firsthand, experience different clinical practices, and work in international research environments. Our university’s internationalization vision is strengthened every year through student exchange programs.” Emphasizing that these experiences are not limited to academic gains, Prof. Dr. Dudu Özkum Yavuz added, “In addition to improving their professional knowledge and skills, our students get to know different cultures, experience the global understanding of health firsthand, and are trained as physicians open to international collaborations.”

Prof. Dr. Yavuz concluded by saying, “We are very proud of their successful representation of our university and Northern Cyprus in various countries around the world.” Dudu Özkum Yavuz also said, “I would like to express my gratitude to our Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and our Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the President of MSANC, its board of directors and advisor, for their great support.”