Azerbaijan Dede Qorqud Foundation presented the "True Patriot" Gold Medal Award to Founding Rector of Near East University, Dr. Suat İ.Günsel.
The Founding Rector of the Near East University Dr. Suat Günsel was presented the “True Patriot” Gold Medal Award by the Azerbaijan Dede Qorqud Foundation due to his outstanding works regarding the promotion of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) all over the world, his world standard efforts in the fields of education, health, culture and art in the TRNC, and his significant work and services in developing the relationship between the TRNC and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

It was stated that the “True Patriot” Gold Medal was jointly presented to Dr. Suat Günsel by the Chair of the Azerbaijan Dede Qorqud Foundation, who is also the Chief Editor of the Azerbaijan International Journal, Prof. Eldar ismailov and by the Foundation Representative, who is in charge of Turkey and the TRNC, Prof.Dr. Refik Aziz.

Providing further details, it was pointed out that the “True Patriot” Gold Medal presentation ceremony was held at the Rectorate Building of the Near East University and that the Vice Rectors of Near East University Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Sadıkoğlu, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt were present at the ceremony. Moreover, it was stated that Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Sadıkoğlu, Prof. Dr. Eldar İsmailov and Prof. Dr. Rrefik Aziz each made a speech at the ceremony.

In his speech, Chair of the Azerbaijan Dede Qorqud Foundation Prof. Dr. Eldar İsmailov expressed that the Near East University’s efforts in education, health, culture and art were a source of pride for the Turkic world and are of high moral value. He added that thanks to Dr. Suat Günsel, the Turkic world artists were all brought together via the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts for the first time. For this reason, he expressed great gratitude to Dr. Suat Günsel.

On the other hand, it was stated that in his speech, Dr. Suat Günsel provided detaisl regarding the developments achieved in the fields of education, health, culture and art at the Near East University and explained the current status reached. Moreover, he pointed out that although it has only been 8 months since the date of groundbreaking of the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, nearly 7 thousand artworks representing the Turkic world were collected and hundreds of Turkish painters were offered opportunities to produce their art at the Near East University. Additionally, he emphasised the importance of education, health, culture and art for any society; and the importance of culture and art in the development of societies. Dr. Suat Günsel ended his words by stressing that he was honoured to be deemed worthy of being awarded the “True Patriot” Gold Award and thanked the Azerbaijan Dede Qorqud Foundation.