It was revealed that the graduation for the spring term of the academic year 2018-2019 was realised at Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre with great joy and excitement. To add, a marriage proposal was made by a graduating student during the ceremony which made its mark on the graduation ceremony.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University to which Rector of University of Kyrenia Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Vice Rector of Near East University Assoc Prof Dr Murat Tüzünkan, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, Heads of Departments, Academicians, students and guests attended.
The ceremony commenced with a minute’s silence in memory of Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkish Cypriot Leaders Dr. Fazıl Küçük and Founding President of the Turish Republic of Northern Cyprus Rauf R. Denktaş, and all those who sacrificed their lives for this country. This was followed by the national anthem. Then a musical performance and a tango dance show were performed which were both much liked. The ceremony then continued with speeches made.
Subsequent to the presentation of diplomas, a student graduating from the Department of Psychology of Faculty of Arts and Sciences, named Özgür Duyan, invited his girlfriend to the stage and made a surprise marriage proposal. This triggered loud cheers and applause in the graduation hall.
Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul: “Basic Sciences Faculties are indispensable faculties of a university...”
In his speech, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul reminded everyone that the Near East University was founded in 1988 and that therefore it was a young and dynamic university. He also pointed out that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences was one of the first faculties to be established on campus.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Özkül expressed that addressed also as Basic Sciences, Faculties of Arts and Sciences were indispensable parts of any university. He added that the vision of the faculty of Arts and Sciences involved educating self-sufficient young people who have contemporary, scientific, technological and cultural knowledge that will force classical patterns in education.
He also said that their biggest goal is to ensure that the young people they train are not only those who transfer professional knowledge in the field, but also gain new information and comments. He reemphasised that they wished for each graduating student from the faculty to be self-sufficient as this was a significant goal.
Prof. Dr. Özkul proudly stated that 1200 publications have been made internationally indexed journals, positioning the Near East University as first university to make the most publications in Cyprus and third among the university publications in Turkey. Providing further details, he stated that Faculty of Arts and Sciences was among the first three faculties to make publications within the Near East University. He also stated that Faculty of Arts and Sciences has added to its achievements and has been accredited by YÖK (higher education board of Turkey) and has become the only institution that has been accredited by FEDEK. He emphasised that thus, the accreditation of the departments of Faculty of Arts and Sciences by FEDEK, which is an impartial institution, has increased the value of this faculty once more.
Finally, Prof. Dr. Özkul addressed the graduates and stated that day was the day to be rewarded for past efforts. In fact, it was a day to observe the benefits of the quality education they received. He congratulated everyone and wished them the best of luck in the future.
Assoc Prof Dr. Murat Tüzünkan: “We areoffering our students education targeted to meet the contemporary needs of today…”
In his speech, Vice Rector of Near East University Assoc Prof Dr. Murat Tüzünkan stated that they shared the joy and excitement of the graduates as they took a step into their new lives.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the Near East University was continuing its educational services ranging from Sciences, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Health Sciences and Educational Sciences. He added that they provided suitable education with the needs of a constantly developing world, while also improving students critical thinking skills and setting their creativities free. He stated that by this way, they aim to educate the students, enlighten them and therefore, develop the society.
In addition to the above, Assoc Prof Dr. Tüzünkan emphasised that they endeavour to bring students to society as individuals who can have their own thoughts in their academic or working lives, who have creative thinking power, who value human values, and who have continuous learning as a principle. Moreover, he stated that the university started to implement the 4th generation university model with the aim of developing its projects in a way to contribute to the society.
Within this framework, Assoc Prof Dr. Tüzünkan emphasised that within the Near East University, Technology Transfer Office was established to develop and sustain university industry cooperation in order to transform scientific knowledge and experience into technology and economic value. As an academic institution, he said that they were determined to continue studies on science rapidly, in addition to abroad agreements, increasing the number of patents and gaining more qualified graduates to the country.
We will continue to train individuals who adopt cultural and scientific contribution to our country as self-duty.…
Assoc Prof Dr. Tüzünkan stressed his belief that the graduates will break the rote and realize the change, never content with what is happening and always go further. Also, he said that the NEU wants to raise individuals who shed light on the historical heritage and tomorrow of our country and adopt lifelong learning as the principle of life. Furthermore, he stressed that they will continue to cultivate individuals who have adopted Atatürk's principles and revolutions, and most importantly, who adopt cultural and scientific contribution to our country as their own duty.
Finally, Vice Rector of Near East University Assoc Prof Dr. Murat Tüzünkan addressed the graduates and advised the graduates to keep their horizons broad with the information they have acquired, while continuing lifelong learning, refreshing their knowledge and having the world involved in their goals.
Moreover, he said that as honest, ethical, contemporary, self-confident, forward-thinking individuals, the graduates will have many good things to do, for the society, for humanity and for the whole world in general.
Assoc Prof Dr. Murat Tüzünkan stated that the university was proud of the graduates, once again and expressed wishes to see them as an example to future graduates. He said that as graduates of the Near East University, every new success they will have in their working life will elevate the Near East University even more, making everyone happy and proud. He ended his words by stating that they were saying farewell to graduates with love.
Near East University is fulfilling its duties for the field of Arts and Sciences…
Also making a speech, Rector of University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu stated that Faculties of Arts and Sciences were not only locations of education but also were institutions prioritising research. He emphasised his strong belief that universities could not be considered without their Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In this regard, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu stressed that Near East University is fulfilling its duties for the field of Arts and Sciences. He said that the strongest indication of this could be seen via the graduates given. He told the graduates that they were the pride of our country and society.
“We have learned to question and think without giving up…”
The speech on behalf of the graduating Turkish students, was made by Perihan Taş, who graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as first. On the other hand, on behalf of the graduating overseas students, Aisha Sharif Khalid Mohamed El Lahdally each made a speech.
In her speech, Perihan Taş emphasised that there was a different story behind every successful student. She thanked her family and friends for all their support throughout educational life and said that each success requires patience and discipline, as well as a successful team of family, friends and teachers. Furthermore, he said that he had learnt to think, question, and continue without hesitation. She expressed that considering everything that he has learned, first of all, the department chief Mr. Sn. Professor Dr. I would like to thank Çakıcı, my other teachers and my family.
The Marriage Proposal made its mark on the graduation ceremony…
Subsequent to the speeches made, students were presented their diplomas by the faculty members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Then, a graduate from the Department of Psychology of Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Özgür Duyan, invited his girlfriend to the stage and made a surprise marriage proposal. When she replied and said ‘yes’ the graduation hall was filled with cheers and applause. The graduation ceremony ended when the graduates tossed graduation caps in the air.
