Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) 2022-2023 Academic Year Spring Semester Graduation Ceremony for Associate and Undergraduate programs was held on Wednesday, 12 July, 2023 at 19:00 at EMU Yasin Düşüner Stadium. Present at the ceremony were Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, TRNC Parliament President Zorlu Töre, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu, TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, National Unity Party (UBP) General Secretary and member of the Parliament Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, Republican Turkish Party members of the Parliament Teberrüken Uluçay, Şifa Çolakoğlu and Erkut Şahali, Higher Education Planning, Supervision, Accreditation and Coordination Board (YODAK) President Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, World Peace University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sağsan, Famagusta Mayor Dr. Süleyman Uluçay, Vice Rectors, Senate Members, Faculty Members, alumni and their families. The ceremony was broadcast live worldwide via EMU TV, national channels BRT 2 and EMU’s institutional social media accounts.
The ceremony commenced with the entrance of graduates to the stadium along with Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, Vice Rectors, Senate Members and Faculty Members. Then, a moment of silence and National Anthem took place followed by speeches of Education Faculty, Fine Arts Education Department, Music Teaching Program’s top student Aliona Manastırlı and Tourism Faculty, Tourism and Hospitality Management Department’s top student Kupawaishe Lyna Manjengwa who respectively talked on behalf of fellow graduates. The graduates did not forget to mention about the Champion Angels during their speeches. Following the speeches, a symbolic tree planting session was held.
“Graduates’ Success is the Greatest Value for EMU”
Delivering a speech during the event, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın stated that a total of 1,748 graduates, 286 of whom were associate degrees and 1,462 undergraduates, were entitled to receive diplomas. Noting that EMU has nearly 75,000 successful graduates from all over the world, Prof. Dr. Hocanın expressed that the achievements of graduates are the greatest value for EMU. Prof. Dr. Hocanın extended his congratulations to all the graduates and their families.
“We Are Proud of Our Graduates”
EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk also delivered a speech saying that they are proud of EMU’s graduates. Addressing the graduates, Dr. Özcenk stated that after graduating from a university like EMU, there are no obstacles to reaching their destinations, and that they have been raised with the knowledge, skills and equipment to achieve anything. Dr. Özcenk congratulated all graduates and their families.
“EMU is not Only a University, But Also a Home”
During his speech, YODAK President Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı stated that he is also an EMU graduate who received his diploma from the first Business postgraduate program 31 years ago. Noting that EMU is not just a university, it is also a home that embraces everyone and provides a cure for all problems. Prof. Dr. Avcı underlined that the graduates graduated from one of the best universities not only in the TRNC, but also in the region and the world. Prof. Dr. Avcı congratulated all graduates and their families.
“I am Confident that All the Graduates will be Successful”
TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu also commemorated Champion Angels during his speech. He wished that new teachers who graduated from a world-class university like EMU would raise children like Champion Angels, who are the source of pride for their families and that EMU graduate engineers would build buildings that would not kill people in the geographies they went to, and that EMU graduate lawyers would establish human rights. Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that he was confident that all graduates would be successful and congratulated the graduates as well as the teachers who trained them and the families of the graduates.
“I Hope Your Graduation to be Beneficial for Humanity”
During his speech, TRNC Parliament President Zorlu Töre stated that he wishes that the graduates would be beneficial for humanity. Recommending that the graduates serve successfully wherever they go with the love of humanity, Töre congratulated all the graduates, their families and the academics who raised them. Expressing that it is their duty to keep the memories of Champion Angels and citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake, Töre commemorated the earthquake martyrs with respect and mercy. Töre wished that the graduates would always be on the side of independence in the countries they will visit.
“I wish Life-long Success to Our Graduates”
President Ersin Tatar congratulated all graduates and their families wholeheartedly and wished them a lifetime of success. Stating that life actually begins now, President Tatar stated to the graduates that they care about their contributions to humanity and their people with the work they will do for the development and development of their country. Congratulating the academicians who train the graduates, President Tatar expressed that technology and all kinds of communication related to technology and the dynamics around science make lifelong education indispensable and pointed to the importance of the graduates adapting themselves to changing conditions. President Tatar also respectfully commemorated the Champion Angels and those from Motherland Turkey and the TRNC who lost their lives in the earthquake disaster.
Following the speeches, top students of faculties and departments were presented their diplomas and awards by the members of the protocol. Then, 2022-2023 Academic Year Spring Semester graduates received their diplomas. The ceremony ended with cap-throwing countdown along and Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın and Vice Rectors.
