A conference titled “Atatürk and the Republic” was organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Atatürk Research and Application Centre. The conference that featured famous history professor Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı as a speaker took place at 10:30 on Monday, the 9th of April 2018 at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center.
The conference with a high attendance commenced with a moment of silence and the national anthem. In a speech, EMU Atatürk Research and Application Centre Academic staff member Asst. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk stated that they will continue to host important figures to ensure that young people who will run the country in the future obtain correct information about Atatürk and his principles. Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk thanked Prof. Dr. Ortaylı who came together with EMU students, in his first time coming together with young people at a university in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Starting his presentation by indicating that he is very pleased to be at EMU, Prof. Dr. Ortaylı shared historical information and stated that the Republic of Turkey is amongst the last 200 republics in Europe. Prof. Dr. Ortaylı indicated that evaluating history incorrectly can lead to incorrect thought patterns. Expressing that the Republic of Turkey has a fantastic army, Prof. Dr. Ortaylı underlined that the army is an important fighting force with a structure that adapts itself to technological developments. Prof. Dr. Ortaylı also noted that Turkey reached a new dimension with Atatürk.
After student questions were answered, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam delivered a plaque of appreciation to Prof. Dr. Ortaylı. The said event was attended by Famagusta District Governor Dürdane Acı, Famgusta Navy Admiral Captain N. Koray Salar, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Özkaramanlı and Prof. Dr. Cem Tanova, Education Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ülker Vancı Osam and a large number of academic staff members, administrative personnel and students.
