The “Art and Design, Proficiency in Arts” program, which will start within the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of Near East University, will accept its first students in the 2024-2025 Spring Semester. The program, which was opened with the approval of the Higher Education Planning, Supervision, Accreditation and Coordination Board (YÖDAK), is also the first and only program in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The “Art and Design, Proficiency in Arts” program, which is considered academically equivalent to a doctorate, is developed for those who want to specialize in artistic and applied studies. Proficiency in Arts offers artists the opportunity to contribute to their fields by producing original works, while also foreseeing assessments based on creative projects and performances. The program offers its graduates career opportunities both as faculty members at universities and in the professional art world. The quota of the program is limited to 15 students. Therefore, candidates with a master’s or bachelor’s degree in fine arts and design who want to be enrolled in the program should apply to the program without wasting time.

Near East University, which provides artistic production opportunities to over 3 thousand artists from 14 Turkish communities in Northern Cyprus with the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts located on its campus, has opened 470 solo and group exhibitions in the last five years. Near East University, which has given great momentum to artistic production in the country, will continue to train future artist academics with the “Art and Design, Proficiency in Art” program opened within the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design.

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç: “With the ‘Art and Design, Proficiency in Art’ program, we will train graduates who will lead in the artistic and academic fields.”

Stating that “Art and Design, Proficiency in Art”, which is preparing to accept its first students, is a very important turning point for students who want to receive high-standard education in the field of art and design in Northern Cyprus, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of Near East University Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç said, “The program aims to train future artists and designers with professional, academic and scientific equipment.”

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aygenç, who stated that “The program, which will allow creative individuals to discover their potential with innovative production methods, will bring together scientific research and art.”, said, “I wholeheartedly believe that our graduating students will lead in the artistic and academic fields and produce projects that will resonate worldwide. This success is an important gain not only for our university, but also for the advancement of the field of art and design.”