The Project of Near East University Near East Institute, titled as “Oral History Project Based on the views of the Politically Elected Turkish Cypriots” is expected to shed light on the Political History of Cyprus…
Date Added: 23 February 2018, 08:40
Last Updated Date:20 November 2020, 14:15

A scientific project will document oral history of the Turkish Cypriots Elected.
The project “Oral History Project based on the views of the politically elected Turkish Cypriots” will be run by Near East University Near East Institute. Interviews will be conducted with elected Turkish Cypriots, who are still alive, figures who have acted within political organisations and represented the community since 1960. These interviews will be scrutinised as periods and as subjects themes; all of which will provide data on the political history of Cyprus with a focus on Turkish Cypriots. Subsequent to systematic review of the literature, the project is expected to be done on a more comprehensive scale and be the first and only one of its kinds in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Head of Near East Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, will be mentoring the project which is expected to be completed within a year. Upon completion, the results of the project will be shared with the public.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel: “We are making the final preparations to realise a project which will shed light on the history of our country and will also guide and direct its future.....”
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NEU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irfan S. Günsel, made a statement on the matter and pointed out that the aforementioned project is to be realised by the Near East University-Near East Institute.

He pointed out that via this project, they were going to establish a database which will enable those who wish to research into the most reliable and valid data sources.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irfan S. Günsel further stated that they as the Near East University prioritised quality in scientific research and emphasised his strong belief that the moral and financial support provided to research by the Near East University was leading to accumulation of high-quality studies. Moreover, he stated that the research at hand was going to provide details regarding the recent past of the country and that they were planning to share the findings of the study with the public in the most effective way. He said that he main mission of the NEU multi-dimensional developments of communities and that they were planning this project to assist future political actions to be made.


Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş: “Through this project, we will be able to provide insights into the history of the politics in Cyprus, besides providing details to shape the future...”
Head of Near East University Near East Institute and Project Mentor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, also made a statement regarding the project and stated that through this project, we will be able to provide insights into the history of the politics in Cyprus, besides providing details to shape the future. Furthermore, he stated that the future steps to be taken and making successful and sound decisions, they felt a need to scientifically review actions taken in an objective way.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koldaş further added that they will be documenting the valuable views of the previously-politically elected figures to share their experiences, memories, actions taken and future projections. He added that the project was funded by Near East University and cooperation is to be established with all parties, establishments and institutions. Oral history project will include methods and paradigms strongly connected with oral history. The project team will consist of academic members from different backgrounds such as; social sciences, communication sciences, international relations. He ended his words by making emphasis on his belief that they were expecting this project to shed light on the political history of Cyprus.