After twenty one years, Near East University realizes the graduation ceremony posponed due to terrific fire in Beşparmak Mountains in 1995.

According to the press info release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the graduation ceremony was held in Near East University Grand Library, Hall 4. It was pointed out that the Founding Rector of Near East University, Dr. Suat İ.Günsel; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel; Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan; Prime Minister in 1995 Hakkı Atun; Rector of University of Kyrenia Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu; Rector of University of Cyprus Social Sciences Prof. Dr. İsmail Güleç; Vice Rectors of Near East University Prof. Dr. Şenol Bektaş, Prof.Dr. Fahreddin Sadıkoğlu, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ; Academic Members, Graduates of 1995 and their families attended the ceremony.

Prior to the opening speeches of the graduation ceremony, a message from Lieutenant General of Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Ömer Paç regarding the graduation ceremony was read.

Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan; "The graduates have turned back the time!"

Making the opening speech of the ceremony, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, stated that the graduates had turned back the time to live a day they had missed in the past due to the great fire of the Beşparmak Mountains.

"She has become the Head of Department of the Department she graduated 21 Years Ago!"

Making a speech on behalf of the graduating students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nadire Çavuş, who has actually become the Head of Department of Informatics which she had graduated from

21 years ago, could not hold her back her tears. She expressed that she was very proud and expressed many thanks to the Founding Rector of Near East University for providing everybody the opportunity to study at the university.

We are honoured and very proud to see our graduates from 21 years ago in their graduation gowns all as successful individuals...

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S.Günsel said that they were sharing a joy which they should have shared 21 years ago. He added that 21 years ago, they had to cancel the graduation ceremony due to one of the most devastating events in Cyprus, the fire of the Beşparmak Mountains. Furthermore, he expressed that they, as the Near East University family were rather pleased to have found the opportunity to make up for the graduates’ lost day and welcomed all the graduates of 1995.

After the Board of Trustees of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S.Günsel completed his speech, a very emotional moment was experienced as the Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İ.Günsel presented the diploma to the wife of a graduate who had passed away, Urcan Vangöl’s wife Ender Denktaş Vangöl.

Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ.Günsel said: "Always imagine yourselves at a better point in life and trust in yourselves knowing that you are competent individuals. Be proud of not the things that you have already accomplished in life but of things that you are yet to accomplish!"

Making a speech, the Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat Günsel addressed the graduates and said that as the graduates registered to the university, they had actually seen through the future ahead, thinking 5 years ahead of time. Moreover, he said that the graduates now found the opportunity to experience a moment which they could not due to the devastating event on the island. He gave examples from his own studentship years and said that he was not very good at writing summary notes as he studied. However, now it felt as he was summarising 21 years. He advised them to be proud of not the things that they have already accomplished in life but of things that they were yet to accomplish!

Subsequent to the speeches, plaques were presented by Founding Rector of Near East University Dr.Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S.Günsel and the Association of the Graduates, which was later followed by the giving of diplomas to the graduates of 1995. Then, the moment they had all been waiting for over the past 21 years came and the graduates threw their caps in the air with great joy. Later on, photographs were taken of the graduates and their tutors. The ceremony ended with a reception given at the Foyer of the Near East University Grand Library in honour of the graduates of 1995.