Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Law organized a commemoration event for late faculty member and former dean of the faculty, Prof. Dr. M. Turgut Turhan who passed away in last August. Held on Monday, 14 October 2024, at 01:30 p.m. at Faculty of Law Amphitheatre, the event was attended by Former Chair of High Court of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Narin Ferdi Şefik, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Acting Dean of Faculty of Law Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arzu Alibaba, faculty members, administrative personnel and students.
Following a video screening consisting photographs of Prof. Dr. Turhan, the event continued with video messages of late faculty member’s colleagues. In her speech, Acting Dean of EMU Faculty of Law Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alibaba thanked everyone attending the event and expressed the faculty’s sorrow on the passing of Prof. Dr. Turhan. Stating that her path first crossed with Prof. Dr. Turhan 28 years ago, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alibaba shared her memories and emotions with the participants. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alibaba underscored the importance of Prof. Dr. Turhan for the faculty and expressed her respect for the late faculty member.
Also delivering a speech at the event, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç said; “There are some individuals who you can’t truly comprehend until you know them personally; without that connection, you feel as though something is lacking. Our Turgut hoca was one of those remarkable people. He was truly one of a kind. It brings us great honour to have his colleagues, students, and family present. We share countless memories together. Our faculty member will forever hold a place in our hearts. He made considerable contributions to the growth of EMU, and we will continue to cherish his memory. I offer my heartfelt condolences to everyone who loved him”.
After the opening speeches, colleagues including Prof. Dr. Mustafa Akkaya, former President of the EMU Atatürk Research and Application Center and retired faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu, Özge Turhan, the daughter of Prof. Dr. Turgut Turhan, Sevim İmge Aydil, one of his most recent students, and Özşen Anış, one of his earliest graduates, expressed their feelings, reflections, and memories of Prof. Dr. Turgut Turhan to the attendees of the event.
To honour Prof. Dr. Turgut Turhan’s contributions to the EMU family and the Faculty of Law, the LAW A2 Amphitheatre has been named in his memory, preserving his significant impact on academic life. During the ceremony, a memory corner was set up for those who preferred not to speak, providing them with the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts in a commemorative book. As part of the memorial events, a dedicated section was created in the faculty library showcasing Prof. Dr. Turhan’s academic works, articles, and books. Moreover, a tree was planted in the Faculty of Law’s garden in his memory, ensuring that his legacy will continue within the faculty.
