According to the press info release from the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the Director of Near East Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, visited the Director of EU Education and Youth Programme Presidency-National Agency of Turkey, Mesut Kamiloğlu. It was revealed that this visit involved the discussion of significant issues such as cooperation opportunities on short-term international education, internship and exchange programmes. Moreover, it was stated that they had consulted on possible projects which would enable students in Universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to benefit from similar programmes or developing alternative programmes alike.

Moreover, it was stated that the Director of Near East Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş had provided information to the Director of National Agency of Turkey, Mesut Kamiloğlu on the available short-term national and international education and certificate programmes in Northern Cyprus and information on certain limitations at the universities within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Furthermore, it was added that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş had emphasised on the need for reviewing the current European Union structures and programmes so that they can include university students in Northern Cyprus or alternatively, find opportunities to develop other short-term programmes for students studying in the TRNC . In accordance with the EU norms and laws, Koldaş pointed out that the National Agency of Turkey was an important foundation which could provide the necessary guidance and coordination for university students to benefit from current exchange programmes and short-term education programmes. He further added that as Near East University, they were ready to cooperate with the National Agency of Turkey to enable students studying in the TRNC universities to benefit from such opportunities and that they were pleased and looking forward to cooperating with the EU Education and Youth Programmes-National Agency of Turkey for the benefit of university students in TRNC.

Mesut Kamiloğlu expressed how pleased they were due to the visit and that they were ready to make the necessary connections and efforts to enable university students in the TRNC to benefit from both Erasmus+ and other educational programmes available within the framework offered by the European Union and that they will be informing universities of European Union Education and Youth Programmes and provide educational support to students in the TRNC. It was also revealed that General Coordinator of National Agency of Turkey, Sefa Yahşi and Near East University Adana Representative Mevlüt Sezer were also present in the aforementioned visit to the National Agency of Turkey.