Working as the Vice Rector of Near East University since 2015, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ was appointed as the rector by the Günsel Family Board. Taking over the task after Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan who passed away last week, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ was born in Lefke in 1966. Having completed his primary and secondary education in Lefke İstiklal Elementary School and Lefke Gazi High School, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ completed his undergraduate education at Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology and Industrial Microbiology.
Conducting his MA and PhD in medical microbiology at Dokuz Eylül University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ continued his academic career, which he started in 1993-1995 at Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Microbiology at Cumhuriyet University between 1995-1997. Transferring to Manisa Celal Bayar University in 1997, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ granted the titles of assistant professor in 1998, associate professorship in 2000 and professorship in 2006, with the studies he carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University.
Assuming many administrative duties at Celal Bayar University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ returned to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 2015 and started to work as the vice-rector at the Near East University. He took part in the establishment of many centers at the Near East University, especially DESAM Research Institute and Scientific Research Coordination Unit.
Serving as the Near East University Acting Rector since 2020, Prof. Dr. Some of Tamer Şanlıdağ’s areas of expertise are hepatitis viruses, newly important microorganisms, viral diagnostic methods, molecular diagnostic methods, adenoviruses, artificial intelligence applications and obesity. Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ played an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic with the scientific studies and projects he led such as the local PCR Diagnosis and Variant Analysis Kit and protective nasal spray.
Making a statement regarding the appointment of Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ as the Rector of Near East University, Near East University Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “We said goodbye to our esteemed teacher Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan on his last journey with deep sadness last week. In the Günsel Family Board, we have decided to appoint Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, who has been the deputy of our teacher Ümit Hassan since 2020, as the Rector of Near East University.
Reminding that Tamer Şanlıdağ, with his expertise in medical microbiology, played an important role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, on behalf of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Near East University, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “Our esteemed teacher, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, as the Rector of Near East University, will contribute to our university and our country for many more years. We wish our teacher Tamer Şanlıdağ success in his new position; I wish the best for him, our university, the Near East Family and our country.”
Appointed as the Rector of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “The esteemed scholar Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan was a great name who made great efforts and contributions not only to the Near East University, but also to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the world of science. It is a great honor for me to take over the position of Rectorate of Near East University. I will carry the flag of our teacher Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, feeling the peace of having received a hand from our teacher Ümit Hassan.”
Expressing his gratitude to Günsel Family Board, Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, and everyone who supported him during his service, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We will continue to serve our country and humanity and raise new generations that will shape the future in order to make the Near East University, which I am proud to be a part of, a permanent place among the best universities in the world.”