It was announced that Near East University annually organises this event to foster and honour academicians for their scientific studies and publications and recently, the 4th scientific awards ceremony was realised, 2018 Science Awards, via a magnificent ceremony.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the 2018 Science Awards were presented at a spectacular ceremony where a total of 132 researchers and academicians were presented awards under four main categories as “Young Researcher Award”, “Honourable Mention Award”, “Publication Award” and “Publication Honour Award”.

In addition to the above, those who represented the Near East University and received awards at national and international conferences, symposiums and congresses were also honoured by being given thank you plaques; alongside the presentation of “The Best Academician of the Year”, “The Best Faculty of the Year” and “The Best Academic Unit of the Year” awards.

Academic Member of the NEU Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Prof. Dr. Vahid Nourani received “Publication Honour Award” whereas as a result of the academic evaluations made by the Near East University Rectorate, “The Best Academician Performance” was given to Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Can Başer. Furthermore, “The Best Faculty of the Year” was chosen as the NEU Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and “The Best Academic Unit” was selected as the NEU Experimental Health Sciences Research Centre.

Three people were presented Honourable Mention Awards…
This year the Honourable Mention Awards were given to the fields of Educational Sciences, Health Sciences and Sciences such that Academic Member of Educational Sciences Şengül Başarı, Specialist in Health Sciences Emrah Güler and Dr. Shaban Ismael Albrka Ali from the filed of Sciences were presented awards.

It was stated that during the presentation of the awards, the young researchers expressed their feelings and stated that they were very proud and excited to be working at a university which constantly improves itself.

It was pointed out that the Minister of National Education and Culture Cemal Özyiğit, Chair of TRNC Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK) Prof. Dr. Akile Büke, YÖDAK Members, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, Rector of University of Kyrenia Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, Vice Rectors, Deans, Institute Heads and Academicians of Near East University and University of Kyrenia, and guests attended the 2018 Science Awards presentation ceremony that was realised at Hall 4 of Near East University Grand Library.

The ceremony began with a minute’s silence, followed by the National Anthem. Subsequently, a speech was made by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, and also by Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel, Head of TRNC Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK) Prof. Dr. Akile Büke, and by Minister of National Education and Culture Cemal Özyiğit.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasised “Freedom in Science”
Making the opening speech of the event, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said that scientific reasoning, scientific methodology and scientific ethics existed in all actions of the Near East University; based on the university’s continued accumulation and culture in higher education.

Near East University has internalised the notion of being a 4th generation university model and the output of the academic studies, research and R & D activities were all offered to the benefit of the society. He added that one of the most important goals of the NEU was to be among the best universities in the world. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ expressed that freedom is the main precondition for scientific development, and for the researcher to find the conditions to do the research and to disseminate the information produced as a result of his research freely.

Moreover, the young scientists and researchers were advised to question how to find out about their roots, to read a lot to be filled with creativity, to discuss them to see the limits of ethics, maintain the dignity of volunteers in their work, and always remember their responsibilities.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ reminded everyone about the great Turkish Scholar Ibn-Sinai`s words, expressing that science and art will not stay where not appreciated and ended his words by congratulating those who were about to be presented 2018 Science Awards.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel: “We are turning into a 4th generation university model that produces information and transforms it into a product …”
During his speech, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel expressed that the Science Awards were given as an Academic Encouragement to the studies that have proven to have the qualities that can make significant contributions to science at present and in the future. He added that these awards were an example of how NEU has pioneered the training of hundreds of scientists who have designed and built the future, and which have made innovative works. He stated that the Near East University had entered a phase which involved not only producing information, but also contributing to local development by creating commercial value and contributing to a rapid transformation process to carry the university to the future via the 4th Generation University Model. Furthermore, Assoc. Prof. .Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel stated that they developed their vision of education and research towards the cycle of research, patent, commercialization and branding of the new generation university approach. He stated that digital transformation is the first priority of the university and having knowledge in the global order is the most valuable power that could be owned. He also underlined the need for bold steps in science and technology in today's world, stressing that progress in science and technology is, above all, a matter of national interest and is the most important condition for the development of a country.

Three Patent Applications have been made in the Field of Pharmacy, Health and Medicine …
Moreover, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel stated that as the Near East University, they will be using their accumulated academic knowledge to produce a commercial product. In this regard, he stated that by adopting the 4th Generation University model that works towards the needs of our society, they had implemented the Technology Transfer Company and have applied for 3 patents in the fields of pharmacy, medicine and engineering. Additionally, the NEU Project Coordinate of Scientific Research has supported 300 scientific research projects, which were financed with the resources of NEU, and currently 120 of these projects have been completed whereas 180 of them are continuing. Also, initiated in 2013, the number of students included in the raising academicians programme has reached 140.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Günsel also pointed out that the scientific studies and projects carried out at the university within the last year had increased significantly. In 2018, NEU academicians have published in more than 1200 scientific journals scanned in the international indexes such as Web of Science and Scopus. Resultantly, this has positioned the Near East University as the first university in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and among the first 10 universities in Turkey; also, among the first 5 based on the academic publication made by per academician. He made a promise that they will continue to support scientific research and increase their work to promote scientific performance and the rewarding system of success.

Prof. Dr. Akile Büke: “Near East university is a significant example to the other universities in the country…”
She stated that scientific research was an important aspect of universities and that one of the responsibilities of YÖDAK was to inspect these researches. In our audits conducted at the Graduate Schools and Research Centres of our universities, we see that our universities have made good progress at the point we have reached today and that Near East University set a good example. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Akile Büke, stressed that at Near East University, the number of scientific publications made in a short time by increasing the number of international indexes had increased. Prof. Dr. Akile Büke pointed out that a Scientific Research and Project Coordination Commission had been founded under the body of YÖDAK and that this commission was supporting the universities to establish ethical boards. By this way, they were hoping that just as the Near East University accomplished, other universities could increase the number of publications made in internationally indexed journals. Prof. Dr. Akile Büke ended her words by congratulated the Near East University for the achievements made, alongside those who were about to receive awards on that day.

Minister of Education and Culture Özyiğit: “I am very proud to be at a university which highly values research which will shape the future…”
Making a speech, the Minister of National Education and Culture Cemal Özyiğit stated that he was proud and honoured to be present at an award ceremony organized at a university which encourages academicians to conduct scientific studies and therefore contribute to shape the future.

Furthermore, he stated that once considering the field of science, it is seen that scientists continue to shed light to mankind by working on research devotedly and that this was very significant since in the past, there were those who were tried in the inquisition courts, and those who lost their lives. He gave the example that while trying to prove something, Macellan lost his life and his friend completed what he started.

After the Enlightenment period, we are making progress in science and technology at a dizzying pace, saying that technology and science have gained importance with the revolution of industry. He stated that Turkey made significant steps in the Turkic world.

Producing Science and the Use of Technology were emphasised …
Özyiğit emphasized that science and technology is not only taking and using, but also generating an understanding that grows and turns into a permanent structure and added that the value given to the scientist added a different meaning to everyone. He stressed that there was a need to progress forward without fear or otherwise the science of the West emphasized the importance of science and the use of technology in production by producing technology, expressing that we cannot go beyond consuming and dependent on them. He said that science shed light to us all and said that they foresaw an education on scientific and democratic foundations and gave unconditional support to the works that adopted this understanding.

Minister of National Education and Culture Cemal Özyiğit, stated that the contribution of universities to the economy and socio-economic structure is unquestionable. Also, he stated that they wanted to have a structure where research and development activities are carried out in all areas of life and where data will be put forward as a guide to society; and that this was quality in education.

At the end of his words, the Minister of Education and Culture congratulated both the Near East University for the opportunities presented and also the academicians for their achievements.

The awards were given to their well-earned owners…
Subsequent to the speeches made at the ceremony, the 2018 Science Awards were given to well-earned owners and the ceremony ended with a cocktail party.