Being the only and first university on maritime and aviation education of our country and the nearby geography, the University of Kyrenia realized its first academic year opening ceremony with the participation of top state officials and the media.

The Opening Ceremony for the first academic year of the University of Kyrenia was held at 10:00 on October 20, 2014 in the Conference Hall of the Grand Library of the Near East University with a vast participation.

According to the press release from the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the University of Kyrenia, the opening ceremony began with a moment of silence followed by the national anthem. Following the introductory cinevision show, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, the Chairman of Board of Trustees and Vice Rector of the University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Altunç, the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies, Necdet Sadıkoğlu, student at the University of Kyrenia, the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications Costal Safety General Director Yaşar Duran Aydaş, TRNC Public Works and Transport Minister Hasan Taçoy, NEU Board of Trustees chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan S. Günsel and TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu made a speech respectively.

Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu: The mission and vision of the University of Kyrenia will take its place in the world of academy…

Touching upon the importance of the event, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu emphasized that the University of Kyrenia has put the wheels into motion through the first academic year opening ceremony to prove its existence to the world. He extended his thanks and appreciation to everyone that contributed to the establishment of the University of Kyrenia. He underlined that the basis of the mission and vision of the University of Kyrenia was to take its place in the world of science and academy through integration with the society, providing life-long training and scientific research.

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Altunç: The University of Kyrenia has now turned into an international education institution…

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Altunç, the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies of the University of Kyrenia, delivered a speech regarding the establishment of the university. “Twenty years ago, the Founding Rector of the Near East University Dr. Suat İ. Günsel with his prescient view predicted that the marine industry would realize outstanding developments and consequently there would be an increasing demand for qualified mariners. Günsel put the Faculty of Maritime Studies into life under the umbrella of the Near East University to respond the needs of the sector. Today, the University of Kyrenia has taken over this important mission of its sister university by meeting all international conditions required for maritime education. The University of Kyrenia with its 632 students in its first academic year is promising a brilliant future. The University will undertake a very important and indisputable role in meeting the need for qualified personnel of national and international marine and aviation industries through quality education comply with international benchmarks and standards” said he.

Speaking on behalf of the students, Necdet Sadıkoğlu extended his thanks and appreciation to Günsel’s family, and the Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu for providing them with opportunities to receive education on the profession of their dreams.

Yaşar Duran Aydaş: The University of Kyrenia will provide great contribution to marine and aviation sectors…

The Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications Costal Safety General Director Yaşar Duran Aydaş gave information regarding the breakthroughs in aviation and marine industries realized by Turkey and drew attention to the cooperation and agreements that concluded with TRNC. Voicing his belief that the University of Kyrenia would provide great contributions to the aviation and marine sectors, Aktaş extended his thanks and appreciation to the founders of the University of Kyrenia.

Public Works and Transport Minister Taçoy: The University of Kyrenia will make up an important shortfall…

Praising the education of the Near East University as well as newly founded University of Kyrenia, TRNC Public Works and Transport Minister Taçoy stated that he had been in good relationships with the Near East University for a long time and voiced his appreciations for the establishment of the University of Kyrenia. Pointing out that maritime related business in the TRNC was low despite the fact that Cyprus was an island; Taçoy expressed the hope that the steps taken by the University of Kyrenia with its 4 faculties 16 departments would pave the way to make up the shortfall in these fields.

The Near East University’s Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel: We are in endeavor to make the University of Kyrenia a leading institution in the field of aviation and maritime studies…

Wishing all the best for the University of Kyrenia which is the only university in TRNC and nearby geography focused solely on maritime and aviation studies, the Near East University Board of Trustees Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel stated that they were in endeavor to make the University of Kyrenia the world’s leading institution of higher education in its field. Stating that he along with his sister Cemre Günsel Haskasap, the Founding Rector of the University of Kyrenia, had turned the faculty that they graduated from into a university located in the center Kyrenia, the city which has an important place in the history process of Cyprus. Günsel underlined that the University would also contribute to the development of Kyrenia.

Then, during the lecture that he gave on the occasion of the opening of the first academic year of the university, Günsel extended his thanks to those concerned as they granted him with the honor of giving the initial lecture of the academic year. During his lecture, Günsel explained the role of Cyprus in world’s energy policies due to its geopolitical location and made a detailed analysis from past to present on the energy policies concerning the Middle East Region.

TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu: Developments in the university sector are pleasing, the mission of the University of Kyrenia is very important…

Delivering the final speech, President Derviş Eroğlu stated that he was very satisfied with the developments in the university sector and voiced his proud of seeing new institutions of higher education coming into service. Touching upon the challenges that TRNC faces in international politic arena as well as during the negotiations with Greek Side, President Eroğlu emphasized that the universities have undertaken an important mission in promoting TRNC and Turkish Cypriots all over the globe. President Eroğlu voiced his belief that the University of Kyrenia would be very successful in fulfilling this mission. In his closing remarks, the President Eroğlu extended his thanks to Dr. Suat Günsel and his son Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Günsel for their unique contributions to the issue and wished success for the students of the University of Kyrenia.

Following the speeches, plaques were presented to TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu, Public Works and Transport Minister Hasan Taçoy and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transport Maritime Affairs and Communications Costal Safety General Director Yaşar Duran Aydaş.

During the ceremony the music teaching staff of NEU and an Argentinean couple offered a music recital and dance show for the audience.