At Near East University, which started its education life with only 22 male students, today 10 of the 20 deans are women, and women employees constitute 50 percent of the academic staff, 67 percent of the administrative staff and 53 percent of the students receiving education.

International Women’s Day at Near East University, which hosts many events focusing on gender equality and women in the first weeks of March, when International Women’s Day is also celebrated, is not just one day, but continues throughout the year.

The dominance of women in every field draws attention at the Near East University, which started education with only 22 male students when it was founded 36 years ago in 1988, and has now become one of the largest universities in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Turkey.

62 percent of the employees at Near East University and 10 of the 20 deans are women!

50 percent of the 893 faculty members at Near East University are women. In the administrative units of the university, the rate of female employees reaches up to 67 percent. The overall average rate of women employees at the university is a remarkable 62 percent.

Women also have a great influence in the management of academic units. At Near East University, which provides education with 20 faculties, female deans manage the faculties of education, medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, health sciences, economics and administrative sciences, sports sciences, tourism and agriculture, as well as the student dean’s office. At Near East University, where one of the vice rectors is a woman, women have a great importance among the heads of research centers and college principals, which are important sources of scientific production. 53 percent of the students studying at the university are female students.

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “In the Near East Enterprises, the high rate of female employees is a natural result not of the priority we give to women, but of our respect to people based on their abilities, regardless of their gender.”

Emphasizing that effectiveness of potentials of individuals will be possible if individuals are respected on the basis of their talents and efforts, not gender, race or other characteristics, Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “This perspective, which is indispensable for a fine social structure, is one of the fundamental values of each institution of the Near East Enterprises, especially the Near East University.” Emphasizing that 62 percent of the employees at Near East University are women, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “Today, 65 percent of employees of the Near East Enterprises, which is a large family consisting of 7,500 people, are women.”

“The high rate of female employees in the Near East Enterprises is a natural result not of the priority we give to women, but of our respect to people based on their abilities, regardless of their gender,” said Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and added, “We will continue to work for a future in which this approach will dominate at every level of our society and in all areas of life.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “At Near East University, we work hard to maximize the potential of not only women, but all our students and employees.”

Stating that they are very proud of the strong representation of women in administrative and academic fields at Near East University, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized that Near East University has grown with the contributions and achievements of women since its establishment. Emphasizing the importance of providing an environment based on talent and work, regardless of gender, in order for institutions and societies to achieve a sustainable structure, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “At Near East University, we work to maximize the potential of not only women, but all our students and employees. This approach and its results set an example for ensuring equality and justice in all segments of society.”

Reminding that 10 of the 20 deans of Near East University are women, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Increasing the number of institutions where people are respected according to their abilities, not their gender, and where they have the chance to benefit from all opportunities equally will create a huge snowball effect in social transformation.”