The first and only of its kind, Özay Günsel Children’s University has held its first graduation ceremony for the Academic Year of 2018-2019 with great joy and excitement.

It was revealed that the first graduation ceremony of Özay Günsel Children’s University was held at Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Centre in a joyous atmosphere to which the spouse of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Meral Akıncı; spouse of the Founding Rector of the Near East University Özay Günsel; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Özay Günsel Children’s University Anna Günsel; Rector of Özay Günsel Children’s University Prof. Dr. Filiz Meriçli; Vice Rectors of Near East University, academicians, guests and students attended.

The graduation ceremony commenced with a minute’s silence, followed by the national anthem. Then, students welcomed everyone with sign language. This was followed by the screening of the video revealing all the activities carried out by the first students of Özay Günsel Children’s University throughout the summer. Subsequently, opening speeches were made including the speech made by Rector of Özay Günsel Children’s University Prof. Dr. Filiz Meriçli and Spouse of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Meral Akıncı.

Prof. Dr. Meriçli: “We have raised children sensitive about the environment via an education program full of fun…”
The opening speech of the ceremony was done by Rector of Özay Günsel Children’s University Prof. Dr. Filiz Meriçli who stated that they were happy since the had completed a period of 8 weeks successfully.

She reminded everyone that the opening lecture of Özay Günsel Children’s University was given by the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mustafa Akıncı, and added that the were rather happy to see his spouse Meral Akıncı at the closing ceremony for this academic year and thanked Meral Akıncı for honouring them on a very special day to them, th first graduation ceremony of the Özay Günsel Children’s University.

Prof. Dr. Meriçli expressed that very cute, smart, creative students found the opportunity to participate in multi-coloured fun programs throughout the summer and added that the students spent valuable time at the world standard laboratories, workshops, innovation centre, hospital and clinics of Near East University and University of Kyrenia with professors, associate and assistant professors, doctors, academicians; and thus found the chance to learn from them and ask questions of their interests. Furthermore, children developed their ability to solve problems in the light of what they learned and tried. Their infinite imagination created new ideas and new products, made posters of their own cartoons. In addition to the programs carried out in the faculties on campuses, they had a lot of fun and learned a lot on our sea and nature trips. She also pointed out that the students of Özay Günsel Children’s University made everyone proud with the questions they asked in seminars given by world-renowned scientists.
Moreover, Prof. Dr. Filiz Meriçli emphasised that all stuents, as environmentally and nature-conscious children, collected the plastic bottles of the water they drank for 8 weeks in blue-green, yellow, orange bags and took them to the recycling firm the day before the ceremony.

Showed gratitude to everyone involved sincerely…
Prof. Dr. Meriçli also thanked the faculty deans and academicians who prepared and administered applied and fun programs for the students of the Özay Günsel Children’s University. Furthermore, she also congratulated the coordinators and assistants who worked hard to improve the environmental awareness of the children. Professor Dr. Prof. Dr. Filiz Meriçli stated that the students learned by trying and having fun at the Özay Günsel Children’s University which will contribute to the children’s successes at their schools. She ended her words by pointing out that Özay Günsel Children’s University is to continue its educational services in the fall term.

Meral Akıncı: “Özay Günsel Children’s University is an exemplary model!”
In her speech, spouse of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Meral Akıncı expressed that having a children’s university had always been a dream and now that dreamed had been realised through Özay Günsel Children’s University which set a good example. Meral Akıncı also expressed how happy and excited she was at the moment when she heard that a children’s university was about to be opened. Therefore, she emphasised how pleased and honoured she was to be present at the closing ceremony of Özay Günsel Children’s University.

In addition to the above, Meral Akıncı stated that children's universities offered opportunities for children to become individuals and said that thanks to these universities, science and art became easily accessible to children. In fact, Meral Akıncı expressed that a children’s university was a great chance, as an early start the journey of becoming an individual in the society and that this journey aroused curiosity in children. She said that the curiosity aroused in children and the diversity of information provided to them through laboratories, games and art enabled them to develop their critical and individual perspectives; alongside giving them further courage to question things.

Also, Meral Akıncı emphasized that biological foundations are developed by parents, family interaction and the characteristics of the society we live in and stressed the importance of children's universities in offering peace from the forced conflict which one could find herself/himself in.

Spouse of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Meral Akıncı ended her words by giving suggestions to families on examples of children's behaviours and messages.

Stage performances were made…
It was stated that following the speeches, Özay Günsel Children’s University Galaxy and Universe group students staged a play on first aid and traffic rules. Then, the Sun group put on a dance show and the World group sang a children’s song.

Certificates were presented…
Subsequent to the speeches, certificates were presented to the graduating students. Firstly, students who completed their study at the Özay Günsel Children’s University with 100 credits were awarded bronze certificates. The Founding Rector of Özay Günsel Children’s University Özay Günsel gave bronze certificates to students in the Universe, Galaxy and Sun whereas the Chairman of the Board of Trustees Anna Günsel gave bronze certificates to the World group.

Later, Spouse of the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Meral Akıncı and Rector of Özay Günsel Children’s University Prof. Dr. Filiz Meriçli gave certificates of participation to the other students of the Özay Günsel Children’s University. It was stated that the first gradation ceremony of the Özay Günsel Children’s University ended with the throwing of graduation caps in the air.