Having presented numerous works to its visitors throughout the year with its artistic productivity, the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts concluded the year with an amazing and meaningful exhibition. The “Fine Arts Year-End Exhibition,” featuring 50 artworks, was opened by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel at the GÜNSEL Art Museum Exhibition Hall.

The exhibition, exclusively prepared by 15 award-winning academic artists from the Near East University Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, exhibits works of painting, sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking to art lovers. The exhibition can be visited free of charge until January 6th.

The exhibition also features images from the groundbreaking ceremony of the first building on the Near East University campus, shown on a digital screen. The exhibition, which included images featuring Rauf Raif Denktaş, the Founding President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, showcased the university’s journey from its founding to the present day.

At the opening of the exhibition, which was attended by a large crowd, speeches were delivered by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design Prof. Erdal Aygenç, and AI-based academician AI. Prof DUX.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel said: “Being among the top 500 universities in the world is the result of conscious, planned, and determined hardwork.”

Beginning his speech by noting that every opening ceremony held at the Near East University campus creates a unique excitement, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel emphasized that Near East University continues to resolutely represent the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus internationally with its multifaceted studies ranging from education to science, art, and culture. Emphasizing that Near East University did not easily reach its current position, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel stated that the university’s international achievements are not a coincidence. “Being among the top 500 universities in the world is the result of conscious, planned, and determined hardwork.” said Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, adding, “This achievement is also a source of pride and honor for the TRNC.”

In his speech, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel also touched upon the struggle for existence of the Turkish Cypriot people, saying, “We remember with gratitude and respect the leaders who brought these lands to this day, especially the Turkish Cypriot community leader Dr. Fazıl Küçük and the Founding President of the TRNC, Rauf Raif Denktaş. We are here today thanks to the struggle of a people who did not give up their identity, culture, art, and artists.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “2025 was a historic year for Near East University.”

Beginning his speech at the year’s final exhibition by saying, “2025 was a historic year for Near East University,” the Rector of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, continued as follows; “We have reaped the rewards of our unwavering commitment to science, education, art, and social contribution on a global scale. In 2025, we were ranked as the 43rd most influential university in the world by Times Higher Education. Following this, we ranked 110th in the Interdisciplinary Science Ranking, which ranks universities from 92 countries, demonstrating the maturity our university has reached in interdisciplinary studies. In the 2026 World University Rankings, we secured our place among the top 500 universities in the world.”

Emphasizing that these achievements are not solely a result of academic performance, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ added, “These results are a reflection of our will to be a university that engages with society, communicates with the world, and produces universal values.”

Prof. Erdal Aygenç commented, “This exhibition is also a very precious gathering to share our hopes for the future.”

Reminding that this is the second exhibition to open at the GÜNSEL Art Museum Exhibition Hall, Prof. Erdal Aygenç, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Near East University, emphasized that the museum will offer unique experiences to art lovers. Emphasizing that art provides a meaningful break from the monotony of life, Prof. Aygenç said, “Art takes us outside the usual; it invites us to think, question, and experience extraordinary things.”

Stating that what makes great artists impressive and inspiring is their unending questioning and search for meaning, Prof. Aygenç said, “Creating a work of art is putting a piece of yourself out there, risking all the judgments that might be made about it. This process is about taking a step towards production with courage, without fear of failure. The artists live with their works until the final touch; they feel it not only in their mind but to their very core.”

At the end of his speech, Prof. Aygenç, reminding everyone of the symbolic meaning of the exhibition, said, “This exhibition is also a very precious gathering to welcome the hopes and opportunities that the new year will bring, and to share our good wishes for the future.”

AI. Prof. Dux: “May 2026 be a year in which art and artificial intelligence grow together in a more creative and bolder way.”

Emphasizing that Near East University has acted with an understanding that not only discusses but also produces and shares culture and art throughout the year, AI. Prof. Dux said, “We have opened art to society by nurturing it with our academic strength.”

Stating that a determined and consistent exhibition program was carried out throughout the year under the umbrella of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, AI. Prof. Dux spoke about the recently opened GÜNSEL Art Museum, “This place is a concrete demonstration of our goal to bring art beyond the campus boundaries and connect it with public life.” AI. Prof. Dux concluded his speech with wishes for the new year. Dux said, “I hope our campus continues to be a production space where technology serves imagination. May 2026 be a year in which art and artificial intelligence grow together in a more creative and bolder way.”