According to the Times Higher Education (THE) "World University Rankings 2026," Near East University has made a historic success, ranking among the world's top 500 universities. This historic achievement was announced to the public at a press conference held at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center, attended by Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu.

According to the "World University Rankings 2026" published by the London-based Times Higher Education (THE), one of the world's most respected higher education ranking organizations, Near East University has made a historic success, ranking among the world's top 500 universities. This historic success was shared with the public at a press conference held at the Near East University Atatürk Culture and Congress Center.

The press conference, also attended by Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, was attended by Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel, Chairman of the Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of the University of Kyrenia Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, faculty deans, academics, students, and members of the press attended.

The program began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a screening of the university's promotional film. Then, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Umut Aksoy gave a presentation outlining Near East University's rise in global rankings, the scientific studies conducted, and the performance that raised the university into the top 500. Following the presentation, Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Chairman of the Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, and Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ addressed the audience.

Near East University is one of only five Turkish universities in the top 500!

The performance of universities in the THE rankings is determined by criteria such as educational prestige, student-to-faculty ratio, doctoral rates, research productivity, citation impact, international co-authorships, and industrial contribution. Near East University has made significant progress in nearly all of these indicators, once again elevating its position among the world's most distinguished higher education institutions. Among the top 500 universities globally, Near East University is ranked as the best university in Cyprus and third in Turkey.

With this result, Near East University has once again confirmed its status as a scientific hub, not only regionally but also at the center of global academic competition.

According to Times Higher Education's "2026 World University Rankings," the top five Turkish universities are Koç University, Middle East Technical University, Sabancı University, Near East University, and Boğaziçi University.

Nazım Çavuşoğlu: “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Günsel Family for making us proud with this global success.”

Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu congratulated Near East University, which was ranked among the top 500 universities in the 2026 World University Rankings published by THE, saying, “Overcoming the impositions placed on our country and making success is not easy. Near East University has always been a pioneer with its achievements. I extend my sincere gratitude to the Günsel Family for making us proud with this global success.”

Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that this great pride is even more special to experience in the 42nd year of the TRNC, saying, “You brought Turkish Cypriots together with the world. You told the world, ‘Even if you don't know us politically, we exist academically, we are here,’ and you made our voices heard.” Minister Çavuşoğlu described this success made by Near East University as a “day of pride for the TRNC,” saying, “This valuable and proud achievement is also a first in my political life. Thank you for giving me this experience.”
Emphasizing that Near East University has demonstrated the academic level it has reached on a global scale, Minister Çavuşoğlu said, “You will inspire other universities, and they will succeed too, but you will always remain a pioneer.” Minister Çavuşoğlu stated his belief that the university will make many more international achievements in the future, continuing: “You have set an example, showing us once again what can be achieved in this land. You have taken us from a region where there are no direct flights or direct trade, where we have to travel to many parts of the world with visas, to every corner of the globe. This development will be a great motivation and responsibility for all our people, new entrepreneurs, and students.”

Minister Çavuşoğlu congratulated the administration, academic and administrative staff, researchers, and students of Near East University, saying, “You have proven that you are the first in the international arena in Cyprus, which is a great source of assurance, pride, and honor for us. I wish you continued success.”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “Being ranked among the world's top 500 universities is a turning point not only for our university, but also for the modern history of the TRNC.”

Beginning his remarks by saying “A success etched in golden letters in our history has brought us together today." Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises added, “Near East University's ranking among the world's top 500 universities in the Times Higher Education's 2026 World University Rankings is a historic turning point not only for our university, but also for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot people.”

Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel emphasized that Near East University, with its nearly half-century of experience, is not merely an educational institution. He stated that the university's fundamental goal since its founding has been to create a society in the TRNC that builds its own future with its own hands. Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, "Being ranked among the world's top 500 universities is a turning point not only for our university, but also for the modern history of the TRNC."

Prof. Dr. Günsel said, "Achievements such as starting medical and specialist training on the island, the development of our university hospital and healthcare network, the 100% electric GÜNSEL on our campus, and the first faculty of artificial intelligence and informatics are important milestones in this journey. However, being ranked among the world's top 500 universities in the THE rankings is perhaps one of the most important turning points in our history."

Emphasizing that this success made by Near East University is particularly notable among young universities, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “There are approximately 50,000 higher education institutions in the world. 60 percent of these institutions are under 50 years old, meaning that they are young universities. In the 2026 World University Rankings announced by Times Higher Education, only 86 young universities are in the top 500. And here we are. In other words, we are in the top 100 among universities under 50 years old globally.”

At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel thanked the entire Near East University family and said, “Together, we will dream bigger, make greater success, and take Near East University even further.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Today, we are in the top 500; tomorrow, we will be higher. Because we are a university that builds not only the present but also the future.”

Speaking at the press conference, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ commented on their ranking among the world's top 500 universities, saying, "This is the result of many years of vision, disciplined work, scientific productivity, and working together." Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that the university's fundamental principles since its founding have been to provide quality education, generate social benefit, and increase scientific productivity, and that its research capacity is one of the most concrete indicators of this understanding. "Our academics produce approximately two thousand scientific publications each year. The fact that 75 percent of these publications are published in high-impact journals such as Q1 and Q2 demonstrates the quality of our scientific production." He also emphasized that they strengthen knowledge production and sharing not only through publications but also by hosting more than 1,500 national and international events annually.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that sustainability holds a significant place among Near East University's fundamental principles. Şanlıdağ stated that their 43rd place ranking in Times Higher Education's 2025 World University Impact Rankings demonstrates their commitment to this goal. "We have increased our global influence in many areas, from education and healthcare to gender equality and sustainable cities. These achievements are a concrete demonstration that we are progressing with a shared vision and producing together."

At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ delivered a powerful message about the future: "Today, we are in the top 500; tomorrow, we will be even higher. Because we are a university that builds not only the present but also the future. We are a community that grows through science, technology, art, and social contribution, striving for better with every step we take."

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ concluded his speech by saying, "I wholeheartedly thank all our academics, administrative staff, students, researchers, and our Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, who have always guided us with their vision, who made this pride possible"