2017-2018 Academic Year Fall Term graduates of Near East University Faculty of Arts and Sciences received their diplomas with a glorious ceremony held at NEU Grand Library Hall 4.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press & Public Relations Office of NEU, the graduation ceremony was realized with the participation of NEU vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, NEU Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Institute directors, vice deans, department chairpersons, faculty members, graduates and their parents.

The graduation ceremony began with a commemorative stand in silence for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkish Cypriot leader Dr. Fazıl Küçük, TRNC Founding President Rauf R. Denktaş and all martyrs and followed by national anthem. The participants experienced joyful and unforgettable moments with the music recital performed by the teaching staff of the Music Teaching Department of Atatürk Faculty of Education.

Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu: "By virtue of the endless support of Near East University and Near East Institutes, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences offers quality education at the highest level and provides all possibilities required for raising well-rounded professionals".
In his opening remarks the faculty Dean Professor İlkay Salihoğlu defined science as the overall intellectual and practical activities encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, research and experiment, and underlined their commitment to providing not only quality education but also all possibilities required for conducting scientific research. “Arts and sciences faculties are not institutions that provide only education within the body of universities. They are also institutions that attach great importance on scientific research. We can't think any university without arts and sciences. Near East University Faculty of Arts and Sciences with its fully equipped departments, dynamic structure and competent academic staff is a vibrant intellectual body which offers quality education beyond the standards set by national and international bodies. Our alumni have been employed by many prestigious institutes all around the world. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences has proven quality and excellence in education. Our academic staff continues to make sound in science world with their scholar publications. Since our establishment, we devotedly continue to raise well-equipped graduates capable to address the needs of the sector. The best indicator of our success is our graduates that graduated from our undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs. By virtue of the endless support of Near East University and Near East Graduate Schools, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences will continue to offer quality education at the highest level and provide all possibilities required for raising well-rounded professionals" said he.

Prof. Dr. Salihoğlu: "The number of international scientific publications of our academic staff is over 80"
Over 80 scientific studies conducted by our scholars were published by international bodies within the last year. This means that the number of publications of each of our scholars is over 2. This number is a quantity that not only the universities in TRNC but also the universities in Turkey try to achieve" said he.

"Dear colleagues, no doubt that you are having one of the most enjoyable moments of your profession. Your students are here in front of you as graduates. No doubt that you are proud of them. I would like to take this opportunity and extend my appreciations in recognition of your devoted efforts in success of your students as well as your resounding international publication success.

Dear graduates, you have successfully completed an important process in your life and you are starting a new road with a new energy, with high skills and knowledge that you have acquired throughout your education process. I truly believe that you will carry the flag of Near East University further. You are the pride of us, our society and our country. I congratulate you and wish you success in your new route. Your continuous success in your career is the greatest wish of your parents and your teachers. I wish all of you good luck and continuous success on this long and challenging way” noted he.

Professor Salihoğlu ended his remarks by addressing the parents: “Dear Parents, You are here today with high feelings. You feel the excitement of seeing of your beloved children. Don't have any doubt; Near East University has raised these young people well. Be sure of their future success and trust them, be proud of them” said he.

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: "Marthin Luther King had started out by saying "I have a dream"
In his opening remarks, NEU vice Rector Professor Şanlıdağ drew attention to the importance of universities in society and expressed his views: "From the time of Plato and Aristotle to the process extending today, universities have grounded their basis on philosophical principles of idealism. Universities are unique institutions that produce and disseminate information to society and integrate various components such as education and science within their bodies.

As you all know, Martin Luther King had started out by saying "I have a dream" when John Lennon whispered us to dream. You should also dream frequently and go after your dreams because it is a proven fact that dreams have a crucial role in determining your goals and achieving them” noted he.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ: “Be always faithful to the scientific and ethical principles taught to you”
Professor Şanlıdağ ended his remarks as: “Serve your community as much as you can. Be always faithful to the scientific and ethical principles taught to you. Although you are well equipped graduates capable to address all needs of the respective sectors, I truly believe that you will increase your current professional knowledge and enhance your skills by your own experiences in your relevant fields. I strongly believe that you will be on demand due to your comprehensive professional knowledge and skills. I congratulate you all and wish continuous success, health and happiness in your new life".

Cansu Değirmenci made a speech on behalf of the graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Then Isa Baba and Takutva Anol Canvabo delivered a speech respectively on behalf of foreign subject graduates.

Following the speeches, the graduates were presented their diplomas. Upon receiving their diplomas, the graduates experienced the joy of the graduation by throwing their caps…