TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal visited Near East University and tested the TRNC’s domestic car GÜNSEL. Receiving detailed information about the research and projects carried out by Near East University, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal also met the artificial intelligence-based academician AI Prof. DUX at Near East University Innovation and Information Technologies Research Center.

In accordance with the protocol signed between the Ministry of National Education and TÜBİTAK, all research supports provided by TÜBİTAK were also opened to academicians in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal visited Near East University within the scope of his contacts in the TRNC. During his visit, Prof. Dr. Mandal also tested the TRNC’s domestic car, GÜNSEL, received detailed information about the research and projects carried out by Near East University, and met AI Prof. DUX.

TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal was accompanied by Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. İrfan Günsel during his test drive at GÜNSEL Test Driving Area. After the test drive, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal received information about GÜNSEL. Prof. Dr. Mandal, accompanied by Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Prof. Dr. Murat Özgören, Head of Near East University Technology Transfer Office, who is also a member of the TÜBİTAK R&D Support Group Executive Board, also visited the Near East University Innovation and Information Technologies Research Center.

TÜBİTAK President met artificial intelligence-based academician AI Prof. DUX
Accompanied by Behcet Çelebi, Director of the Higher Education and Foreign Affairs Department of the TRNC Ministry of National Education, and representatives of the Nicosia Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal met AI Prof. DUX who teaches at Near East University and is one of the few examples in the world where artificial intelligence is used in education. Receiving information from Fadi Al-Turjman, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Institute, which developed Prof. DUX, Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal was also informed about many projects developed at Near East University.

Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal: “It is a great pride to have such good investments in the TRNC. I hope GÜNSEL will take the place it deserves in the international arena.”
Stating that they held meetings in the TRNC within the scope of the protocol they signed with the Ministry of National Education, TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal expressed his satisfaction with his visit to Near East University.

Prof. Dr. Mandal examined the 2018 world champion robotic football team, solar-powered vehicles and many other projects developed at the Innovation and Information Technologies Research Center at Near East University. Prof. Dr. Hasan Manda also obtained information on the TRNC’s domestic PCR Kits which will be used in the detection of many viruses, from Dengue Fever to West Nile Virus, especially SARS-COV2. Prof. Mandal got information by asking detailed questions about AI Prof. DUX.

Prof. Dr. Mandal, who previously tested TRNC’s local and national car, GÜNSEL, said, “I was proud to examine this successful production on site, which was started with the awareness that we can do it too. I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone who is excited about this production.”

“We have witnessed that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is also present in the field of electric vehicles, which is growing very rapidly in the world. Not only producing vehicles, but also providing input to the existing and developing technological transformation is a great indicator that reveals the potential of the TRNC. It is a great pride that there are such good investments in the TRNC, which continues its studies in strong cooperation with the Republic of Turkey. I hope GÜNSEL will take the place it deserves in the international arena.”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: Opening all of TÜBİTAK’s R&D, project and research supports to our academics in the TRNC has increased our motivation to the highest level in many projects we carry out.”
Emphasizing that TÜBİTAK plays an important role in the scientific productivity of universities as the pioneer of scientific and technological developments in Turkey, Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “Opening all of TÜBİTAK’s R&D, project and research supports to our academics in the TRNC has increased our motivation to the highest level in many projects we carry out.”

“The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) cooperates with universities, supports scientific research, finances projects and provides financial support to scientists. These supports provided by TÜBİTAK enable universities to strengthen their research infrastructure and undertake competitive projects at national and international levels. In addition, scientific events, conferences and training programs organized by TÜBİTAK contribute to the growth of academic productivity by increasing information sharing between universities. The inclusion of universities and researchers in the TRNC into this ecosystem will allow the scientific productivity that we pioneer in our country to grow much more strongly.”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, “I would like to thank TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. ” Hasan Mandal for the leading role he played in this process and for visiting our campus and personally examining the projects we developed on-site.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We were very happy to show the projects and research we have developed and worked on to our TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal.”
Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized that, in addition to being the most preferred university in the TRNC, Near East University is also among the best universities in the world by higher education rating organizations such as The Times Higher Education.

Reminding that dozens of projects such as the TRNC’s local and national car, GÜNSEL, AI Prof. DUX which is one of the first examples of artificial intelligence used in higher education, TRNC’s domestic PCR kits, and the world champion autonomous robotic football team were all developed on the Near East University campus, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We were very happy to show the projects and research we have developed and worked on to our TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal.”

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also emphasized that international collaborations will strengthen scientific progress. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Opening all of TÜBİTAK’s R&D, project and research supports to our researchers will further expand the scientific cooperation environment between Turkey and TRNC. I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal who has played an important role in this process.”