At Near East University, which ranks among the top 500 universities in the world, 40 academicians who were granted academic promotions in 2025 received their certificates at a ceremony. At the ceremony, which was attended by a large crowd, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, a member of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) Supervisory Board, stated that this was his first visit to Near East University and said, “As a Turk, I felt proud.”.

Near East University, which is among the top 500 universities in the world, held its 2025 Academic Year Academic Promotion Ceremony at the İrfan Günsel Congress Center with a large participation. At the ceremony, 40 academics who were promoted to assistant professor, associate professor, and professor ranks in 2025 received their promotion certificates.

The ceremony was also attended by members of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) Supervisory Board, Süleyman Necati Akçeşme, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, Oğuz Yazar, Seçil Keskin, and Kemal Akgün, as well as YÖDAK member Prof. Dr. Remziye Terkan.

The ceremony, which began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, continued with a musical performance by Dr. Gözdem İlkay and İmge Dinçer, a lecturer from the Music Education Department of the Atatürk Faculty of Education at Near East University. Opening speeches were given by Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University, and AI-based academician AI Prof. DUX.

Following the Academic Promotion Ceremony, the 481st exhibition of the Cyprus Modern Art Museum, “Games of My Memory”, opened to art lovers. Featuring distinguished works from various disciplines, the exhibition showcased the university’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt: “This is my first visit to Near East University. As a Turk, I am proud.”

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, a member of the Higher Education Council (YÖK) Supervisory Board, also presented certificates to the academics who received promotions. Mustafa Kurt began his speech by conveying the greetings of the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar. Stating that they had been carrying out observations at Near East University for four days, Prof. Dr. Kurt said, “You have hosted us with great sincerity; thank you all.”

Noting that he had served as Rector of Marmara University for four years and subsequently had the opportunity to become familiar with almost all universities in Turkey and Cyprus, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt said, “This is my first visit to Near East University. As a Turk, I am proud. You have such a beautiful and precious university in every respect. I congratulate you all.”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “Today, we are also making a strong declaration of will. This will is to elevate our university further and to make the future of this country brighter.”

Stating that while academia may seem like an individual endeavor from the outside, its impact is extremely public, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, emphasized that science is also a field of great responsibility. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “The titles you have received today are a clear declaration of the magnitude of the responsibility you bear. What you are responsible for, along with your academic career, is our university’s understanding of science, the intellectual capacity of this country, and the social prestige of academia.”

Emphasizing that Near East University has acted with a sense of responsibility towards society since its establishment, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel reminded that Near East University is ranked among the top 500 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education 2026 rankings. Stressing that this success is not a coincidence, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “This success is the result of a strong will built step by step.” He stated that international collaborations, qualified academic staff, and an institutional structure aiming for continuous development made this success possible, adding, “The strongest link in this structure is you.”

Addressing the academicians, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “The way to make this success permanent is not through producing more, but through producing higher quality, more effective, and more meaningful studies. In this respect, our expectation from you is not merely to carry these titles, but to fill them with meaning. It is to demonstrate a stance that prioritizes academic freedom, scientific ethics, and social benefit under all circumstances. Today, we are not only celebrating an achievement; we are also making a strong declaration of will for the future. This will is to elevate our university further while making the future of this country brighter.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ added, “The success you have achieved today will find new life in the horizons of the people you will train tomorrow.”

Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “From the outside, academia is measured by results; but from the inside, it is a story of patience. Behind visible successes lies disciplined effort. Today, we are making that invisible effort visible.” Emphasizing that being an academic is not merely about producing knowledge, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “Being an academic is not just about producing knowledge. It’s about being honest with knowledge. It’s about having the courage to refute one’s own opinion when necessary. It’s about accepting error not as a weakness, but as a natural part of progress.” Highlighting that science progresses through questioning rather than certainty, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that what truly defines academics is not the answers they find, but the questions they continue to ask.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also stated that the university views academic promotion as a declaration of trust. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “This promotion conferred upon to you by our university is also an expression of trust. Near East University believes that academic excellence is built not by chance, but by systematic effort. It values not only the results but also the process; it embraces not only success but also the path to that success. And you are the carriers of this culture.”