Near East University awarded an honorary doctorate to Osman Çetintaş, an academic and coach of the “Champion Angels” who lost his life in the February 6th earthquake. At an emotional ceremony, Çetintaş’s honorary doctorate certificate and his completed doctoral thesis were presented to his family.
In accordance with the decision of the Near East University Senate, the late Osman Çetintaş, who dedicated his life to education and sports and was the coach of the “Champion Angels”, was awarded an honorary doctorate. The honorary doctorate ceremony, which was filled with emotional moments, was held in the Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan Republic Hall of the Near East University Grand Library.
His mother, Betül Çetintaş, who received her son’s doctorate from Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, moved the entire hall to tears with her words: “I am grateful to all of you, but my biggest thanks must go to my son, Ozi; We love you so much, my dear son!”
Osman Çetintaş, who lost his life along with the Champion Angels in the earthquake tragedy of February 6, 2023, was in the process of completing his doctoral studies in sports science at Near East University. Following a decision by the Near East University Senate, an honorary doctorate was awarded to Çetintaş, and his doctoral thesis, completed by his academic colleagues, was presented to his mother Betül Çetintaş, his father Nafi Çetintaş, and his sister Seran Çetintaş by Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises.
The ceremony, which was attended by a large number of people, included Osman Çetintaş’s mother Betül Çetintaş, father Nafi Çetintaş, and sister Seran Çetintaş; Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises; Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University; and members of the Near East University Senate. The ceremony was attended by Osman Çetintaş’s academic colleagues from the Faculty of Sports Sciences at Near East University, faculty deans, department heads, and many other academics.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by the reading of Osman Çetintaş’s biography and a short video presentation prepared in his memory. After Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ explained the reasons for awarding the honorary doctorate, the agenda for awarding Osman Çetintaş the honorary doctorate was put to a vote and unanimously accepted. The honorary doctorate certificate and doctoral thesis, conferred by the Near East University Senate, were presented by Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel to Osman Çetintaş’s mother, Betül Çetintaş, his father, Nafi Çetintaş, and his sister, Seran Çetintaş.
The ceremony was also attended by Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, and Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ , Rector of Near East University, and Betül Çetintaş, expressed their feelings.
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “The honorary doctorate awarded to our late academic Osman Çetintaş is also an expression of the fact that your children hold an indelible place in the conscience, memory, and future of society.”
Stating that the mourning period following the February 6th earthquakes extended over many years, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, said, “Especially when a societal issue like an earthquake is involved, the mourning we experience should not stop us, but rather produce a consciousness that increases the determination of the steps we take.”
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel stated that the honorary doctorate bestowed upon Osman Çetintaş is a concrete reflection of this understanding, adding that the responsibility of institutions is not limited to commemorating the losses. “Preserving memories is certainly very important. However, it is not sufficient on its own. What is truly important is that memory can be transformed into action.” said Prof. Dr. Günsel. Günsel also said, “As Near East University, we approach memory studies as a multi-dimensional area of institutional responsibility. With this approach, the Champion Angels Monument and painting, which we exhibit in our Walled City Museum, ensure that our losses are permanently preserved in public memory. On the other hand, with our scientific responsibility, we conduct earthquake research, structural analyses, and risk assessments. We continue to work to carry forward what we have learned from the past through scientific production and transform it into knowledge that will reduce future risks.”
At the end of his speech, addressing the Çetintaş Family and the families of the Champion Angels, Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “This decision is an expression of the fact that your children have an indelible place in the conscience, memory, and future of this society”, adding that their memories will continue to exist in every step the university takes, every piece of knowledge it produces, and every life it strives to protect. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel concluded his speech by saying, “May their souls rest in peace, and may their memories always illuminate our path.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “His name will live on not only with this title bestowed upon him today, but also in every step he has inspired.”
Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ began his speech by emphasizing the significance of Senate decisions for universities. “Today, our Senate has convened not only to discuss an academic agenda, but also to make a decision that will hold a special place in our institutional memory and has profound meaning.” said Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ, noting that the sole agenda item of the meeting was the assessment of the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree upon the late Osman Çetintaş. He emphasized that the decisive approach in the Senate’s evaluation was one that “goes beyond the transfer of knowledge, prioritizes the cultivation of individuals, values character as much as performance, and views the academic journey not merely as an individual achievement, but as a contribution to society.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that Osman Çetintaş was a strong and tangible embodiment of this understanding, adding, “When all these elements are considered, the recognition of our late academician’s efforts and dedication with an academic honor is not a choice, but an institutional responsibility.”
In the continuation of his speech, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ drew attention to the symbolic meaning of the honorary doctorate degree. Şanlıdağ said, “An honorary doctorate is one of the highest symbols demonstrating that individuals who guide society and create value, not just achieve academic success, find a place in the memory of the university and society.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ, noting that Osman Çetintaş’s efforts and influence will continue to live on, said, “I believe that Osman’s efforts will continue to exist in the determination of the young people he trained, in the unifying spirit of sports, and in the transformative power of education. His name will live on not only with this title given today, but in every step he has inspired.”
Betül Çetintaş: “I am grateful to all of you, but my biggest thanks must go to my son, Ozi; we love you so much, my dear son!”
After receiving the honorary doctorate awarded to her son, Betül Çetintaş, in a tearful speech, expressed her emotions, saying, “Those who knew him know that he was known for his composure, but even he would be excited if he were here today. I am also extremely excited in his place.” Stating that the honorary doctorate degree awarded by Near East University was a great source of pride for them, mother Çetintaş expressed that they had very much wanted to share this pride with her son. Saying that the only unfinished goal in her son’s life was his doctorate, Betül Çetintaş said, “I thank the Board of Trustees of Near East University, the university administration, and the academics of the Faculty of Sports Sciences for their effort and dedication in completing Osman’s unfinished work.”
Concluding her speech with emotional words, mother Çetintaş said, “I am grateful to all of you. My son was unable to live up to this day, but you made it possible for us. I wholeheartedly thank Near East University and all of you; thank you for being there. But the biggest thanks must to to my son, Ozi, Osman Çetintaş… We love you very much, my dear son.”
Who is Osman Çetintaş?
Born in Gazimağusa in 1993, Osman Çetintaş began his education at Polatpaşa Primary School. He completed his secondary education at Gazimağusa Turkish Maarif College. Osman Çetintaş completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics at Izmir Institute of Technology, graduating as the third-ranked student in his faculty. He furthered his academic work by pursuing his master’s degree at the same university.
After obtaining a personal trainer certificate in Sports Education and Management from Seam Academy, Osman Çetintaş returned to Cyprus and began his doctoral studies at the Department of Sports Sciences at Near East University. He made various achievements in volleyball, a sport he began playing in elementary school, as an athlete, coach, and administrator. He worked as an instructor at Çamlık Sports Academy. Most recently, he coached the Famagusta Turkish Maarif College Girls’ Volleyball Team, playing a significant role in their championship victory.
Traveling to Adıyaman with a school delegation of 39 students for the Stars Volleyball Semi-Finals, Osman Çetintaş lost his life along with his students and fellow teachers in the earthquake disaster on the morning of February 6, 2023. His life, dedicated to education, sports, and the development of young people, left behind a lasting legacy and a powerful source of inspiration.
