The ceremony was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Republic Assembly and member of Parliament Fazilet Özdenefe, member of Parliament Fikri Toros, member of Parliament Hasan Küçük, Chairman of the Higher Education Planning, Inspection, Accreditation and Coordination Board (YÖDAK) Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı, Founding Rector of University of Kyrenia Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemre S. Günsel Haskasap, University of Kyrenia Rector Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, Members of the Board of Trustees, Vice Rectors, Secretary General, Chief Physicians, Institute Directors, Deans, Deputy Deans, Heads of Departments, Vocational School Directors , faculty members, alumni, parents and many guests.

Families and guests welcomed ‘graduates’ with a round of applause as they entered the ceremonial area with joy and pride. The graduation ceremony began with a moment of silence followed by the national anthem.

The opening speeches of the ceremony were made by the University of Kyrenia Rector Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu and YÖDAK Chairman Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı.

Later, Abdullah Yıldız from the Faculty of Architecture addressed the participants on behalf of all alumni, Ebrima Silah from the Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences on behalf of international students and Mehmet Haydaroğlu from the Faculty of Law on behalf of students who use the Turkish language.

Graduates of Institute of Graduate Studies, faculties, academy and vocational schools were presented their diplomas at the ceremony, during which also 60+ Refreshment University, that is a first in the TRNC, students were given their certificates.

The ceremony, where diplomas and medals were given to the students who ranked in the faculties and vocational schools, ended with the cutting of the graduation cake and the cocktail organized after the group photo shoot.

Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu: “The University of Kyrenia has shown the importance it attaches to scientific publications with its 110 scientific publications in one year”

Starting his opening speech at the ceremony by greeting the participants, University of Kyrenia Rector Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu expressed sadness over the forest fire that took place in our country last week that affected a very large area, and said “ We wish that it would not happen again”.

Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu emphasized that this year the University of Kyrenia has graduates from 33 programs in the 2021-2022 Spring semester, and that the departments of Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Computer Programming and Environmental Protection are experiencing a first.

Prof. Dr. Salihoğlu stated that university education mainly depends on knowledge based on scientific research and that the basic duty of universities is to transfer them correctly and properly.

Rector Prof. Dr. Ilkay Salihoğlu emphasized that the University of Kyrenia, acting with this awareness, attaches great importance to scientific research, as in previous years, and has published over 110 publications in respected and peer-reviewed journals this year.

Noting that scientific research is also very important for the academic staff to develop themselves, Prof. Dr. Salihoğlu said that they are grateful to the Günsel family and the Near East organization for their unconditional support.

Congratulating the faculty members and families at the end of his speech, University of Kyrenia Rector Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu concluded his words as follows: “Dear graduates, I congratulate each and every one of you. It is your time to open the door to a new life. Know that life is short, enjoy it and be happy by achieving success. Don’t be intimidated by obstacles, failure leads to success. Work hard, be disposed . I am sure that you will reach the level of contemporary civilizations advised by the founder of our republic and our national guide, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.”

Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı: “We wish to see graduates as ambassadors of the TRNC in the future”

Chairman of the Higher Education Planning, Inspection, Accreditation and Coordination Board (YÖDAK) Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı, on the other hand, greeted the graduates and their families, who will head towards to a new horizon with excitement tomorrow.

Prof. Dr. Avcı stated that today is not a day to talk about academic criteria or the law, but a day to share excitement. Expressing that he has completed his 30th year in his academic life and that the pleasure brought by such ceremonies is unique, Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı said that the greatest reward for an academician is the nice words that he/she will hear from their students.

Reminding that some professions require more responsibilities than others do, YÖDAK Chairman Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı noted that the diploma is not enough and that the graduates who will enter the competitive work environment should keep on learning.

Prof. Dr. Avcı also congratulated the parents who made sacrifices to educate their children under the economic conditions brought by the Covid process.

Chairperson of YÖDAK Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı emphasized that Cyprus is an island of higher education and concluded by stating that they wish to see graduates as ambassadors of the TRNC in the future.

Graduation Speech: Ebrima Sillah