Visiting the University of Kyrenia Faculty of Maritime Studies, Mustafa Arabacıoğlu, the Minister of National Education, received information about the university and faculty.

As part of his visit, Mr. Arabacıoğlu toured the building of the Faculty of Maritime Studies which is affiliated with the Near East University, the sister university of University of Kyrenia. The Minister Arabacıoğlu was presented a plaque during his visits.

Delivering a speech to mark the importance of education on a certain specialty, the Minister of National Education, Mr. Arabacıoğlu said: A great portion of the world surface is covered with water. Faculty of Maritime Studies is vital of importance in our era in which education has become a global activity. The maritime education is of crucial importance to modern societies with its influence and role as an essential element in terms of social and economic development. Universities should be rigorous and committed in identifying the fields where they aim to offer education to meet regional, national and international requirements to achieve excellence. The University of Kyrenia Faculty of Maritime Studies is a great value” said he

Pointing out the importance of university education in the globalizing world, Mr. Arabacıoğlu highlighted that our country has become an island of universities with a remarkable progress in a short time. “University education has become one of the major factors in economic development and is increasingly at the core of a country’s competitive advantage in the global economy. About 63 thousand university students including 35 thousand Turkish students and 16 thousand foreign students from 100 different countries receive their undergraduate education in our country. University education is the tertiary education that not only channels students into their specific area of studies but also provides students with a rich cultural and social environment. This provides opportunity and fosters every student to interact with people coming from varying geographical, social, financial and cultural backgrounds. The wide range of this multicultural and multinational environment contributes to the cultural and social aspects of our country as well” said he.

“Having been forced to live as an enclosed community in certain areas for years, Turkish Cypriots didn’t have much connection with the overseas between the years 1963-1974. The connection with the seas of the Cyprus Turkish community had been confined within 5-10 km costal line. Since 1974 our society is in a continuing development. We have become a global mark in education. Our universities currently provide education almost in every field of science. Many foreign students prefer our universities for their tertiary education. Graduating from TRNC universities, these students, almost like ambassadors in their countries, contribute to the promotion of TRNC and promotes support for TRNC to take part in a more inclusive world” noted Arabacıoğlu.

“Just like natural resources in other countries, education and tourism sectors are the wealth of TRNC acquired in time by virtue of investments in these fields. I would like to thank for investments in the relevant fields” said the Minister Arabacıoğlu.

ALTUNÇ

Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies of NEU, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Altunç stated that Turkish Cypriots weren’t able to engage in maritime till 1974. “It is sufficient enough to reveal the importance of maritime considering that 83% of world trade is carried out by the international shipping industry. Seaborne trade continues to expand. The growing efficiency of shipping as a mode of transport and the prospects for the industry’s further growth continue to be strong. To this end, the University of Kyrenia is committed to providing quality education by sparing no effort to produce competent seafarers to meet the requirements of different types of ship in the world merchant fleet” noted he.

Altunç stated that Faculty of Maritime Studies, which is now affiliated with the University of Kyrenia, was TRNC’s first educational institution in the field of maritime which started its educational life with 6 students. “Currently 608 students receive their education on maritime at the three departments of faculty which are not available departments in many faculties of maritime even in Turkey. Our university is going on its way in a disciplined and committed manner” said he.

“400 students have graduated from the Faculty of Maritime Studies of NEU so far. The faculty with its highly trained competent staff and high-tech equipments provides maritime education and practice at international standards. All academic staff members of our faculty are unlimited shipmasters and all engineers are chief engineers” said he.

SALİHOĞLU

The Acting Rector and the Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of University of Kyrenia, İlkay Salihoğlu stated that University of Kyrenia was established in accordance with regulations and legislations of International Maritime Organization (IMO), and Higher Education Planning, Evaluation Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK). Salihoğlu furthermore noted that the University of Kyrenia abided the regulations and requirements regulated by the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of The Republic of Turkey, as well.

Indicating that all education and training programs provided by the University of Kyrenia are in full compliance with STCW 95 (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers) and STCW 2010 Manila Amendments, Salihoğlu stated that they were expecting the Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences of the University of Kyrenia to offer educational programs from September 2014 on. “Private Pilot License program, Department of Civil Air Transport Logistics and Department of Civil Air Transport Management currently accept applications for enrolment” said he.

Pointing out the need for a Maritime Law Institution, Salihoğlu said: “The University of Kyrenia is dedicated to be a centre of excellence for maritime education and research, promoting the highest standards in teaching maritime affairs, including maritime education and training, shipping management, port management, marine environment and ocean management, and international maritime transport and logistics. However, there is still a lack of education on Maritime Law in TRNC. In order to meet the requirements, it is our blueprint to open the Department of Maritime Law and the Department of Fishing next year within the scope of our fundamental objectives. Initiatives in this regard have been completed.”