In the first of the 2024-2025 Fall Semester Graduation Ceremonies held at Near East University, 273 students from 7 faculties enjoyed their graduation. Graduates of Near East University, which has students from 143 countries, will represent Northern Cyprus all around the world.
Students who gained the right to graduate in the 2024-2025 fall semester at Near East University took their first steps into their new lives with the graduation ceremonies. In the first of the ceremonies held in two sessions, 273 students who graduated from the faculties of Pharmacy, Nursing, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Health Sciences, Sports Sciences, Tourism and Agriculture threw up their caps with great enthusiasm.
The ceremony, which started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, a musical recital was given by Department Head of the Music Teaching Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emine Kıvanç Öztuğ and Music Teaching Department Experts Gözdem İlkay, Spec. İmge Dinçer and Music Teachers’ Association.
The ceremony, which was held at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center and attracted great attention, was attended by many academicians, students and families. The opening speech of the ceremony was made by Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ. Eylül Demir, a graduate of the Food Engineering Department of the Faculty of Agriculture, expressed her feelings on behalf of the students who graduated from the Turkish program, while Annacynthia Alex Mariwa, a graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, spoke on behalf of the students who graduated from the foreign program. Following the speeches, 219 undergraduate, 43 graduate and 11 doctoral students, a total of 273 students, threw their caps up with great enthusiasm.
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Wherever you are, continue to produce for society and contribute to humanity.”
Starting his speech by reminding the two concepts chosen by the Turkish Language Association and the Oxford Dictionary in 2024, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “The Turkish Language Association, with the votes of the public, chose the word ‘crowded loneliness’, while the Oxford Dictionary, with the votes of the public, declared the expression ‘brain rot’ as the concept of the year. Both of these words are of great importance in terms of understanding the state of mind of the modern world.”
“While art unites people and enables them to overcome loneliness, science prevents mental decay. Education, as the basis of all these elements, prepares us for a meaningful future.” said Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, and added; “Wherever you are, continue to produce for society and contribute to humanity. Because, we may be alone; but we are never alone in this world. This is not just a university, it is also a family that grows, learns and develops together. As a part of this family, never break your ties! Wherever you are, your roots here will continue to give you strength.” Addressing the families at the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “You stood behind them, guided them and gave them strength on this path to success while they were overcoming every difficulty. Their success is also your success. We would like to thank you most sincerely.”
Eylül Demir: “We all have a common goal, and that is to work to make the future a better place.”
Eylül Demir, who said “We all set out with different dreams and hopes at the beginning of this journey. However, today, we are together as a result of a common labor, effort and determination. Food engineering is not only a profession, but also a field that carries the responsibility of serving humanity. In this age when we need to build a healthy and sustainable future, we are ready to shoulder this responsibility with the education we received.”
Eylül Demir, who emphasized that they gained a lot of information during the education and that they gained not only theoretical knowledge but also skills such as problem solving, cooperation and coping with difficulties, said, “We are now setting off for a new journey. We all have a common goal, and that is to work to make the future a better place. I hope that we will all continue on our path successfully in accordance with our Great Leader Atatürk’s principle of ‘Progressing successfully on the path of science.”
Annacynthia Alex Mariwa: “Let’s be leaders, thinkers and practitioners who will make a difference in the world.”
Stating that studying and graduating from Near East University is a privilege, Annacynthia Alex Mariwa said, “Near East University is not only an educational institution, but also a place that nourishes, challenges and inspires us to maximize our potential. Graduation is not only a moment when we celebrate academic achievements, but also a reflection of the countless hours of study, the determination that lasts for midnight and the determination that each of us has shown.” Annacynthia Alex Mariwa said, “We owe a debt of gratitude to all these moments that have come and gone.” Addressing her fellow graduates, Annacynthia Alex Mariwa said, “As we stand on the threshold of new beginnings, let’s continue to carry the lessons we have learned. “Let us be courageous when faced with uncertainty, innovative when faced with challenges, and compassionate in all we do. Let us be leaders, thinkers, and doers who will make a difference in the world. Let us walk out the doors of this institution with a sense of purpose and a commitment to excellence.”
