Near East University marked the opening of the 2026-2027 Academic Year with a ceremony attended by Bertan Özerdağ, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Delivering the inaugural lecture of the new academic year, Chief Justice Özerdağ addressed the right to a fair trial and the impact of technological advancements on human rights.

Near East University held the opening ceremony for the 2026-2027 Academic Year at the Atatürk Culture and Congress Center. The event, which saw a high turnout of faculty members and students, featured the inaugural lecture by TRNC Chief Justice Bertan Özerdağ. Focusing on “The Right to a Fair Trial under the European Convention on Human Rights”, Özerdağ highlighted the importance of the rule of law, independent and impartial adjudication, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. He also touched upon new challenges arising in the legal field due to artificial intelligence and digital technologies, emphasizing the necessity of safeguarding the core guarantees of the right to a fair trial in the face of such technological developments.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the national anthem. Attendees included Cenk Dökmen, Secretary General of the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK); Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Rector of the University of Kyrenia; YÖDAK member Prof. Dr. Murat Tezer; as well as numerous deans, faculty members, and students. The event also featured a musical performance by faculty members from the Department of Music Education at Near East University’s Atatürk Faculty of Education, followed by a screening of the university’s promotional film. The opening speeches of the ceremony were delivered by Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University; Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University; and Prof. DUX, an AI-based academic.

In his opening speech, Prof. DUX touched upon the impact of artificial intelligence on scientific production and education, stating, “In this era, where the ways of accessing and producing knowledge, as well as changing the world, are being reshaped day by day, and our duty is not merely to follow technology, but to harness it for the benefit of humanity.” Emphasizing Near East University’s efforts in the fields of science, innovation, and productivity, Prof. DUX added, “As the Near East University family, we take pride in being pioneers in science, innovation, and productivity. Let us not forget that the future will be shaped not by artificial intelligence alone, but by the people who decide how it is used.”

Chief Justice Bertan Özerdağ Discusses the Right to a Fair Trial
Delivering the inaugural lecture for the 2026-2027 Academic Year at Near East University, Chief Justice of the TRNC Supreme Court, Bertan Özerdağ, addressed the right to a fair trial and the human rights guarantees that form the foundation of the rule of law, in a talk titled “The Right to a Fair Trial Under the European Convention on Human Rights.” Emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and the protection of human rights, Özerdağ said, “The right to a fair trial is not merely a set of procedural rules to be followed by the courts; it also constitutes the very basis of public trust in the rule of law.” Touching upon fundamental safeguards, such as the right to a fair trial before independent and impartial courts, the right to a verdict within a reasonable timeframe, the principle of public hearings, the requirement for reasoned judgments, and the right to a defense, Özerdağ emphasized that it is not enough for justice to be served, it must also be clearly seen to be served.

Noting that technological advancements have brought forth new challenges in the realm of human rights, Özerdağ drew attention to issues concerning the protection of personal data, the right to privacy, and the risks posed by AI-generated synthetic audio, images, and videos. Stressing that the reliability of digital evidence must be examined with great rigor, Özerdağ stated, “The primary duty of the law is to ensure the protection of rights and freedoms in the face of social change and technological progress.”

Highlighting that universities make significant contributions to the protection of human rights and the development of a legal culture through their scholarly work, Özerdağ concluded his remarks by saying: “I believe that the work to be carried out by the esteemed faculty members and students of Near East University throughout the new academic year will make a substantial contribution to the protection of human rights and the understanding of new developments in the field of law. I wish you all a successful, productive, and inspiring academic year.”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “We have worked hard to build a university that recognizes its own identity and culture, remains sensitive to the needs of its country, and aims to develop solutions to the common challenges facing the world.”
In his address, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, outlined the university’s vision across the fields of science, technology, culture, arts, and social responsibility. Emphasizing that the university’s international achievements have increased both the scientific strength and the global visibility of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “We have strived to build a university that recognizes its own identity and culture, remains sensitive to the needs of its nation, and aims to develop solutions to the common challenges facing the world.”

Noting that the small size of the TRNC, in terms of both population and land area, is no barrier to making a significant global impact, Prof. Dr. Günsel pointed to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, which houses artworks by approximately 3,000 artists from the Turkic world, as a key example of this vision. He added that research initiatives in fields such as healthcare, engineering, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and environmental technologies reflect this same philosophy, saying, “For us, reaching from the local to the universal means contributing to the collective knowledge of humanity by starting from the specific needs of our own country.”

Prof. Dr. Günsel further noted that university life is enriched not only by academic pursuits but also by culture, the arts, sports, and social activities. He emphasized that the “Sports-Friendly Campus” initiative, which is officially recognized by the Council of Higher Education, supports students in leading healthy and balanced lives. Emphasizing that engaging with diverse cultures offers students a vital opportunity for personal growth, he remarked, “Being open to the world does not require one to drift away from their own identity.” Stating that they will continue to strengthen scientific and technological output, expand international collaborations, and offer students a multifaceted university life in the new academic year, Prof. Dr. Günsel concluded his remarks by saying: “Our roots remind us of who we are and where we come from. Our goals, meanwhile, reflect our determination to shape the future, drawing strength from this deep-rooted heritage, and to leave a lasting mark on the world. With this conviction and resolve, I hope the new academic year will serve as a starting point for fresh ideas and valuable endeavors.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “It is about teaching how to learn, generating new knowledge, and putting that knowledge to work for a more sustainable life. As Near East University, we will continue to work, produce, and evolve with this sense of responsibility.”

In his speech, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence, scientific output, and sustainability for the future of higher education. Emphasizing that universities should not merely be conduits for transferring existing knowledge, but rather institutions that generate new knowledge and transform it into societal benefit, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ noted that the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence make critical thinking, scientific verification, and ethical responsibility more vital than ever. He encouraged students to be individuals who remain curious, conduct research, and engage in critical inquiry.

Touching upon the international achievements of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ noted that the institution has been ranked among the world’s top 550 universities in the Times Higher Education 2027 World University Rankings. Noting that academics at Near East University have produced over 1,700 scientific publications in the past year, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated, “Our primary goal is to continuously foster the culture of scientific production that makes these achievements possible, and to increase the international impact of our research.”

Emphasizing that sustainability is one of the university’s core priorities, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ highlighted that the institution ranked 39th globally, and first among Turkish universities, in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026. Outlining the objectives for the new academic year, which include enhancing research capacity, strengthening interdisciplinary work, and further integrating artificial intelligence into educational processes, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ added, “It is about teaching how to learn, generating new knowledge, and putting that knowledge to work for a more sustainable life. As Near East University, we will continue to study, workk, produce, and evolve with this sense of responsibility.”