Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) 2020 – 2021 Academic Year Spring Semester Associate and Undergraduate Degree Graduation Ceremony took place on Thursday, 8 July 2021 at 19:00 at the EMU Yasin Düşüner Stadium. Nearly 1,400 graduates received their diplomas during the event. President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ersin Tatar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Erhan Arıklı, Minister of Public Works and Transportation Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu, UBP General Secretary and Council member Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, Council member representing CTP Erkut Şahali, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, EMU Board of Trustees members, ICU Board of Trustees vice president and Former EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Abdullah Öztoprak, administrative chiefs, academic staff members, graduates and families of the graduates attended the event. The total number of EMU graduates reached nearly 66 thousand with the 2020 – 2021 Academic Year Spring Semester graduates.
Held within the framework of pandemic measures, the graduation ceremony commenced with EMU Senate Members and the graduates entering the stadium and welcoming the families. Following a minute of silence and the National Anthem, Faculty of Education, Department of Music Teaching top ranked student Sultan Ayça Sungur and, School of Computing and Technology, Computer and Information Technology Systems Department Top ranked student Omid Taghipour delivered speeches on behalf of the 2020 – 2021 Academic Year Spring Semester Associate and Undergraduate Graduates. Following their speeches, Sungur and Tahgipour moved on to the symbolic tree planting session. EMU Student Council President Mustafa Kırılmaz, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocann, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu, TRNC President Ersin Tatar delivered speeches.
Speaking at the ceremony, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocaın congratulated the graduates and their families who successfully completed their education at EMU and said: “Wherever you are in the world, whatever profession you practice, you will always be successful with the quality education you receive here. Do not forget that being an EMU graduate will provide you with many privileges.”
EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk congratulated the graduates and their families in his speech and said, “Dear graduates, you have now completed your university education and you will set sail on a new journey starting today. In this journey, do not miss the love from your heart. Your success in your new journey will be our pride. I wish that your path will always be open and full of success, and I embrace you with love.”
Noting that the field of higher education is very important for the promotion and economy of the country, TRNC Minister of National Education and Culture Olgun Amcaoğlu said, “As a ministry, we embrace all our graduates in higher education led by EMU. Dear EMU graduates, this is your home. The doors of the TRNC will always be open to you, together with the doors of its heart.”
“Being a Member of EMU Family is a Privilege”
TRNC President Ersin Tatar said, “I would like to congratulate our new graduates wholeheartedly. Congratulations on your success. Never stop working, producing and contributing to humanity. Always serve humanity. Keep in touch with your university and your friends. Being a part of the EMU family; is a wealth, a privilege and an opportunity to support you for life. I wish you success”.
1,608 Graduates from 53 Different Countries
After the speeches, symbolic diplomas were presented to the graduates of the 2019-2020 Academic Year Spring Semester and 2020-2021 Academic Year Fall Semester, which were held online due to the pandemic. Nearly 1,400 EMU 2020-2021 Academic Year Spring Semester Associate and Undergraduate Degree graduates received their diplomas. The ceremony, attended by a total of 1,608 associate and undergraduate graduates from 53 different countries, ended enthusiastically with the graduates throwing their caps in the air and musical performances accompanied by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın's countdown.
The ceremony was live broadcasted through EMU’s social media accounts (Youtube, Instagram and Facebook) and EMU TV for students who could not attend the ceremony. BRT 2 HD, Kıbrıs Genç TV, Kanal T and Ada TV also live broadcasted the ceremony.
