Minister of TRNC National Education gave a seminar at the University of Kyrenia
Date Added: 24 February 2016, 10:45
Last Updated Date:21 December 2016, 10:21

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Giving a seminar at the University of Kyrenia, the Minister of National Education Kemal Dürüst came together with the university students.

Kemal Dürüst, Minister of TRNC National Education, gave a seminar themed on “The place of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in higher education and the relations with Turkey”.

National Education Minister Kemal Dürüst, who came to the University of Kyrenia to give a seminar on “The place of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in higher education and the relations with Turkey”, was welcomed by Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Kyrenia University acting Rector Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu and General Secretary Asst. Prof. Dr. Hürmüs Refiker.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of the University of Kyrenia, TRNC National Education Minister Kemal Dürüst gave a seminar to the students of University of Kyrenia. During the seminar, which themed on “The place of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in higher education and the relations with Turkey”, Mr. Dürüst shared his views regarding TRNC as an island of education.

Kemal Dürüst: “We went through hard days; we should never forget whence we came and whilst we go”

Underlining his happiness of being at the University of Kyrenia and in Kyrenia, which is the center of tourism of TRNC and the island of Cyprus, Mr. Dürüst began his words: “I was born in Limasol and I am almost at the age of 45 now. I personally lived the days of the war; I remember. We lived very hard days, we experienced immigration; we migrated and settled in Güzelyurt. We shouldn’t forget whence we came and whilst we reached. Today, we have twelve universities in our country”.

Kemal Dürüst: I wish I were a student studying at the University of Kyrenia

“This is my third visit to the University of Kyrenia. I am very satisfied with giving a seminar here. At the ceremony that held for the opening of university’s new campus, I was fascinated with the distinguished architecture of faculty buildings overlooking the sea and couldn’t stop myself thinking how wonderful it would be a student studying at the University of Kyrenia”

Kemal Dürüst: “TRNC is an island of education”

“According to the last census, TRNC’s population is approximately 271,000. Almost 85,000 students receive education at TRNC’s universities. The number of students corresponds to one third of the population. This ratio clearly demonstrates that our country has become an important destination of higher education in the region. In this context, we can say that TRNC is an island of education” said he. Underlining the crucial role of education in contributing to the development of a country, Mr. Dürüst stated that the values of TRNC will increase in the line with quality education that provided by higher education institutions like University of Kyrenia. “Today here, I am going to tell you what Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İ. Günsel said to me six years ago as his words were very significant for me; ‘On one hand there are bodies that are valuable now and on the other hand there are others gaining value continuously and will keep it ongoing with an exceptional speed’. To my point of view, both our country as an island of education and the University of Kyrenia in which you are studying are valuable bodies that will gain much more value” said he.

“The Republic of Turkey is our greatest supporter; in the field of education we go ahead of Turkey”

“The Republic of Turkey is a source of pride for us. However, we can say that we precede Turkey in education. Only 50,000 third-country students receive education in Turkey which has a population of almost 80 millions. Here in TRNC almost 25,000 third-country students study in our universities. There are 50 thousands of third country students in 80 million populated Turkey while there are 25 thousands in 271,000 populated TRNC. This ratio is a significant indicator that demonstrates TRNC’s place in higher education. These are the factors that require us to know who we are and where we are in higher education” said he.

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An institution that goes beyond the scope of rationalism in investments…..

Mentioning about his recent visit to Near East University, Minister Kemal Dürüst drew attention to the gigantic investments realized by NEU: “A campus that going greener and embodying outstanding facilities along with an animal hospital, a simulation center and many other centers that equipped with the latest novel technology; I toured the university with a great admiration. In terms of investment, Near East University has gone beyond the range of imagination” said he.

Kemal Dürüst: “Improve yourself, read, explore deeply and be knowledgeable; youngsters like you will enlighten the country’s future”

Emphasizing that a country’s development was closely associated with the education level, Mr. Dürüst drew attention the crucial role of higher education. “Universities are symbols of modernism, intellectualism, environmental consciousness, cultural understanding and all other thematic factors. You, the maritime students, are receiving education at the most beautiful place that situated on the world’s sea map; this is your greatest privilege. Each generation is luckier than the previous one and you are very lucky. Since Cyprus is surrounded by seas, maritime is true to the name of Cyprus and you are very lucky that you receive maritime education on such an island particularly at the University of Kyrenia. It’s a great chance for our country to have such a university within its boundaries. Read, explore deeply and be knowledgeable, improve yourself; youngsters like you will enlighten the country’s future” said he.

At the end of the seminar, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, acting Rector of University of Kyrenia, presented a plaque to Kemal Dürüst, Minister of TRNC National Education, and thanked him for participating in the seminar.