Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Health Sciences and Center for the Application and Research for Healthy Life (SAYMER) organized an event titled “Atölyelerde Buluşalım” (Let’s Meet at Workshops) within the scope of 14 November – World Diabetes Day. Held on Friday, 13 December 2024 with the contributions of Cyprus Turkish Diabetes Association (KTDD) and Municipality of Famagusta (GMB), the event included a “Healthy Snack Preparation Workshop” to encourage healthy eating habits, a “Self-Care and Management Workshop” to enhance diabetes management, and an “Exercise Workshop” to emphasize the importance of physical activity. The workshops were led by expert faculty members.
The event was attended by EMU Board of Trustees (VYK) President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, EMU Vice Rector for Promotion and Institutional Communication Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, Mayor of Famagusta Dr. Süleyman Uluçay, Director of Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, Department of Culture, EMU Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç, EMU Dentistry Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Hikmet Solak, EMU Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. Hayrettin Ozan Gülcan and the Chair of KTDD Specialist Physiotherapist Handan Bilgehan Mert.
Delivering the opening speech of the event, EMU Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Malkoç mentioned the vision and mission of SAYMER which operates within the faculty. Providing information on the “Blue Circle”, the symbol of World Diabetes Day, Prof. Dr. Malkoç stated that this day is observed with a different slogan each year and this year’s slogan was determined as “healthy life”. Noting that the workshops held were prepared in line with this theme, Prof. Dr. Malkoç thanked the chair of SAYMER Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angın and all the academic personnel members who contributed to the process. Taking the stage after Prof. Dr. Malkoç, the Chair of KTDD Specialist Physiotherapist Mert emphasized the importance of raising awareness about diabetes and pointed out the necessary steps in the fight against it. She also stated their willingness to continually support such initiatives and thanked EMU and the Faculty of Health Sciences for hosting the event.
In his speech, Famagusta Mayor Dr. Süleyman Uluçay stressed that the quality of services in the city has significantly improved over the past two years, thanks to the valuable contributions of EMU and its students. Mayor Uluçay noted that a joint protocol has been established between the GMB and EMU, leading to collaboration on various matters. Moreover, he pointed out the rising number of diabetes patients, emphasizing the importance of the event in raising awareness about this issue.
“As a University, We Take the Responsibility to Organize Beneficial Events and Inform the Society”
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç highlighted that diabetes is one of the major health challenges of today and emphasized that the university has a responsibility to organize events and provide information to benefit society. Pointing out that this responsibility is being met through the events and workshops held, Prof. Dr. Kılıç also shared that, with the input of the experts present, participants would gain important knowledge in the fight against diabetes. Prof. Dr. Kılıç stressed the necessity of raising awareness and acquiring more information about diabetes and expressed his hope that the event would be a step toward a healthier life for everyone. Lastly, Prof. Dr. Kılıç concluded by thanking those involved in organizing the event.
EMU VYK President Dr. Özcenk underscored that diabetes is a disease that profoundly impacts the individual, their environment, and public health. In his speech, Dr. Özcenk discussed global developments regarding diabetes, mentioning that the number of diabetes patients worldwide has reached 800 million. He also referenced a 2022 study in the TRNC, which found the diabetes rate to be 36%. Emphasizing that diabetes is a genetic condition, Dr. Özcenk highlighted the importance of taking preventive measures before developing the disease. Dr. Özcenk concluded by expressing that the event organized by the EMU Faculty of Health Sciences was highly beneficial and extended his thanks to everyone involved.
The EMU Faculty of Health Sciences indicated that similar events focused on raising social awareness will continue and extended their thanks to all participants and supporters, particularly the Cyprus Turkish Diabetes Association and Famagusta Municipality. The event concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to those who attended the workshops.
