The exhibition of University of Kyrenia themed “Cyprus and Naval History from Past to Present” was opened by Mr. Hüseyin Özgürgün, President of UBP (National Union Party)
The exhibition themed “Cyprus and Naval History from Past to Present” which is the first socio-cultural event of University of Kyrenia on its new campus was opened by Mr. Hüseyin Özgürgün, President of UBP.
According to a press statement released by the Press and Public Relations Directorate of University of Kyrenia, Mr. Kemal Dürüst, Minister of Education; Mr. Kutlu Evren, Minister of Development, Environment and Culture; Dr. Faiz Sucuoğlu, Minister of Tourism; Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Founding Rector of Near East University; Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Chairman of Board of Trustees of University of Kyrenia; Assist. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan, Vice President of Board of Trustees of Near East University; Vice Rectors of University of Kyrenia and Near East University; Assist. Prof. Dr. Umut Koldaş, Director of Near East Institute; Assist. Prof. Dr. Yeter Tabur, General Secretary of Near East University, deans and lecturers of Near East University and University of Kyrenia, officers, guests and students attended to opening ceremony of exhibition.
İşipek: “Cyprus is the centre of civilizations, a centre where maritime was born in the world”
Ali Rıza İşipek, Retired Navy Colonel, Director of Naval History Research Centre of University of Kyrenia and curator of the exhibition, said in his opening speech at the beginning of opening ceremony “Cyprus, which turned to be a centre of civilizations due to its geographic location, a centre where foundations of maritime laid and developed, a land where international trade was born through the naval activities of Phoenicians, an island turned to be a destination of naval tribes and nations for centuries, and an island benefited from all benefactions and blessings of sea. One of the most important missions of us is to tell this rich story of Cyprus to our next generations.”
Salihoğlu: “If there is no sea, there is no Cyprus, if there is no Cyprus, there is no sea”
Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Chairman of Board of Trustees of University of Kyrenia, said in his opening speech that they are much happy, honoured and grateful to be together with precious guests at the first sociocultural event on the new campus of the University of Kyrenia. Prof. Dr. Salihoğlu said “This is heralding the future. Such kind of events will be important for uniting with the people of Kyrenia Town. Our university have already started to offer education in maritime and aviation fields. Furthermore, with the investments we have already started in medical field, I am sure that we will make much further progress in other fields and make important contributions to our country”. Salihoğlu also emphasized that Cyprus and sea are an indispensable duo, if there is no Cyprus, there is no sea, and if there is no sea, there is no Cyprus. Salihoğlu concluded his speech saying that if there was no Cyprus, which is the centre of civilizations, did not exist, the world would be quite different now…”
Özgürgün: “Günsel Family will be remembered for their contributions to education in future, as they are remembered today”
Hüseyin Özgürgün, President of UBP, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the exhibition of “Cyprus and Naval History from Past to Present” said “We are taking place at a nice opening ceremony today. I thank warmly to my precious friend, Dr. Suat Günsel, for his kind invitation. He is greatly contributing to the education sector of TRNC. The last example of his investments is the University of Kyrenia. Here, education is going through specialization in field. I see that there is an approach towards specialization on maritime and aviation subjects. Surely this university will offer education on other subjects. Günsel Family will be remembered for their contributions to education today and in future, as well”.
Following the opening speeches, the opening ceremony of the exhibition was realized by Hüseyin Özgürgün, President of UBP, Dr. Suat Günsel, Founding Rector of NEU, and ministers, by cutting the ribbon. A welcome reception also took place at the exhibition. The exhibition, where oil paintings depicting the story of naval history of Cyprus, models of Greek, Egypt and Phoenicia ships, portolons of Cyprus map drawn by Piri Reis in 16th century are presented, a will remain open to public visit until 8 December 2015.