Eastern Mediterranean University 2016-2017 Academic Year Spring Semester Graduate Programs Convocation Ceremony took place at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 18 June 2017. Different from previous years, this year master’s and doctoral degree program graduates received their diplomas at a separate ceremony, which was broadcast live via EMU TV. Boasting over 20,000 students from 106 countries, EMU lives the excitement of graduating around 2000 students. Among those in attendance were TRNC Ministry of Health Undersecretary Kemal Deniz Dana, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam, Member of EMU Board of Trustees Recai Ergün, Vice Rectors, around 260 graduates and their families, members of the EMU Senate and academic staff members.
Having commenced with the entrance of the 2016 – 2017 Academic Year Spring Semester master’s and doctoral degree graduates to the ceremony venue with music and applause, the ceremony continued with a moment of silence and national anthem followed by a guitar and flute performance of İbrahim Çetiner and Münevver Sakar. Then, on behalf of the master’s program graduates, EMU Communication Faculty Digital Media and Film Studies Master’s Program graduate Chinedu Emmanuel Ayinotu delivered a speech.
Stating that Cyprus is the only place he has traveled to so far, Ayinotu told the audience that he had never left his country, Nigeria, until then. Adding that when he first arrived in Cyprus he thought he would have adaptation problems, but due to the warm environment EMU provided upon his arrival, he experienced no problems at all. Ayinotu also added that EMU hosts students from 106 different cultures which gave him the unique opportunity to meet different individals from different cultures. Expressing his appreciation and gratitude towards his family, friends and instructors, Ayinotu added that the education he received in his department has been a privilege for him. At the end of his speech, Ayinotu surprised the audience as he sang ABBA’s song “I have a dream”.
EMU Architecture Faculty Doctoral Degree graduate Cemaliye Eken also delivered a speech during the ceremony. Thanking all families present at the ceremony for their support towards their sons’/daughters’ success, Cemaliye Eken stated that they will use the information, skills and talents they gained in EMU to tackle problems at all levels. At the end of her speech, Eken thanked all families, friends and instructors who have contributed towards their graduation.
Prof. Dr. Osam: “As the ambassadors of EMU, you will shape the world”
In his address during the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam extended his best wishes to all those in attendance on the occasion of Father’s Day and Ramadan. Expressing his pleasure in hosting graduates, their families and academicians at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center, Prof. Dr. Osam added that graduates of postgraduate programs will shape the world as the ambassadors of EMU. Prof. Dr. Osam also recommended all graduates to continue with their academic studies. Expressing his pride regarding the appearance of EMU within the top 980 universities on the Times Higher Education 2017 World University Rankings, Prof. Dr. Osam added that during 2017, a total of 284 publications have been produced in EMU and 3095 attributions have been made from EMU academic staff members’ work.
The 2016-2017 Academic Year Spring Semester Postgraduate Programs Graduation Ceremony continued with the presentation of diplomas to graduating students by the TRNC Ministry of Health Undersecretary Kemal Deniz Dana, Member of EMU Board of Trustees Recai Ergün, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam, Director of EMU Institute for Graduate Studies and Research Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tümer, Assistant Director of EMU Institute for Graduate Studies and Research Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Hakan Ulusoy and EMU Faculty of Arts and Sciences Founding Dean Prof. Dr. Ayhan Bilsel. The ceremony ended with the graduates throwing their caps in the air.
