Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) 2023-2024 Academic Year Fall Semester Graduation Ceremony for Associate and Undergraduate Programs took place on Wednesday, 31 January, 2024 at 02:00 p.m. at EMU Lala Mustafa Paşa Sports Complex.
Present at the ceremony were Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, TRNC Parliament President Zorlu Töre, TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, TRNC Chief Prosecutor Sarper Altıncık, National Unity Party (UBP) member of the Parliament Resmiye Canaltay, Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 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. Hasan Kılıç, Gazi University Rector Prof. Dr. Musa Yıldız, Health Sciences University Rector Prof. Dr. Kemalettin Aydın, Famagusta Mayor Dr. Süleyman Uluçay, Vice Rectors of EMU and visiting universities, Senate Members, Faculty Members, graduates and their families.
The ceremony was broadcast live worldwide via BRT 2 channel as well as EMU TV and EMU’s institutional social media accounts (YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/eastmeduniv and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/eastern.med.univ/). Over 1,000 associate and undergraduate degree graduates received diplomas in the ceremony. Increasing the number of its alumni with each passing year, EMU’s total number of graduates exceeded 72 thousand with its 2023 – 2024 Academic Year Fall Semester graduates.
The ceremony commenced with the entrance of graduates to the stadium along with Senate Members and Faculty Members. Then, a moment of silence and National Anthem took place followed by speeches of EMU Education Faculty, Special Education Department, Special Education Teaching Program’s top student Ezgi Kudret and EMU Communication Faculty, New Media and Communication Department’s top student Lore Lekgotla D Bothate 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.
“We Share the Pride of Our Graduates”
Delivering a speech at the ceremony, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç provided information on the history of EMU, the values it adds to the country, its international structure, achievements and accreditations. Expressing that EMU has a very unique education environment that is rarely found in universities all around the world, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated that the students of EMU are privileged and that the university is sharing the pride of its graduates who have successfully completed their studies. Prof. Dr. Kılıç congratulated all the graduates, their families and EMU personnel members who contributed to the success of the graduates.
“The Success of Our Graduates is the Pride of EMU”
EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk expressed great pride as they prepare to present diplomas to the young, dynamic, and well-educated EMU graduates who have become part of the EMU family since they arrived to the TRNC and the EMU campus from all around the world. Stating their belief that the EMU graduates will always feel a belonging to the EMU, Dr. Özcenk added that it would bring them great happiness if graduates become ambassadors for EMU, particularly in the TRNC, and emphasized that their success in their new journeys will be a source of pride for EMU. Dr. Özcenk wished all graduates great success in their future endeavors.
“It’s a Privilege to be a Member of EMU”
During his speech, YODAK President Prof. Dr. Turgay Avcı stated that it is a privilege to be a member, graduate, academic staff or worker of EMU. Saying that he is also an EMU graduate who received his diploma from the first Business postgraduate program 32 years ago, Prof. Dr. Avcı noted that, over the course of 30 years, he has signed thousands of young people’s diplomas at EMU while serving in faculty and administrative roles. Addressing the graduates, Prof. Dr. Avcı advised the graduates to celebrate their achievements today but to be aware that the most challenging journey of their lives is about to begin as of tomorrow. Prof. Dr. Avcı stated that the graduates are ready to the challenging awaiting them as they are now graduates of EMU. Lastly, Prof. Dr. Avcı wished success to all the graduates.
“The World will be a Better Place with You”
In his speech, TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu expressed their contentment and pride to be at the ceremony congratulating the graduation of the students. Noting that EMU is a state university established by statute and that it will remain so indefinitely, Minister Çavuşoğlu conveyed gratitude to the academicians who have trained thousands of students to become distinguished professionals in their fields. Addressing the families who have entrusted EMU by bringing their children to the education island of Cyprus, Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that they are now delivering their children to them, having nurtured them in the free lands of Cyprus with rights to freedom of thought, belief, life, and speech. Speaking to the graduates, Minister Çavuşoğlu emphasized that the graduates will return to their countries with a broad global vision, serving humanity and their nations, and noted that the world will be a better place with EMU graduates.
“You will be Honorary Ambassadors of TRNC and EMU”
During his speech, TRNC Parliament President Zorlu Töre stated that they attended the ceremony to share the happiness of the EMU graduates. Noting that there was no university in the history of the TRNC about 50 years ago, Parliament President Töre mentioned that EMU, established in 1979 as the Institute of Higher Technology, became a university in 1986 under the name Eastern Mediterranean University. Addressing the graduates, Töre emphasized that they will become honorary ambassadors of the TRNC and EMU in the countries they visit and stressed the importance of solidarity and unity among them.
“Serve Your Countries While Always Improving Yourselves”
President Ersin Tatar stated that EMU is a successful international institution of education with its academic personnel, structure and the education it offers. Saying that the university has students from 120 different countries, President Tatar highlighted that the experiences gained during the university life is a significant obtainment. Stating that the education received and the friendships formed at the university will have great contributions to the graduates’ careers, President Tatar emphasized that the graduates can always keep contact with other fellow alumni members, supporting each other, wherever they are by virtue of the communication tools. President Tatar wished the graduates to continue their personal developments, improving their visions in a way integrating it with universal values, and to serve their communities in their countries. At the end of his speech, President Tatar congratulated the students and their families.
Following the speeches, top students of faculties and departments were presented their diplomas and awards by the members of the protocol. Then, 2023-2024 Academic Year Fall Semester graduates received their diplomas. The ceremony ended with cap-throwing countdown along and Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and Vice Rectors.
