Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Rectorate organized an Academic Award Ceremony for EMU academics who have demonstrated outstanding success in 2024. The ceremony was held with the participation Nazım Çavuşoğlu, the Minister of National Education on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). During the ceremony held on Wednesday, 4 March 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at EMU Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall, academic staff members featured in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists List, as well as to those recognized for Scientific Publication Citations, Faculty / School Publication Achievement and Research Incentives.
Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, EMU Board of Trustees (VYK) President Şemi Bora, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, VYK Members Özdinç Akdel and Turan Büyükyılmaz, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, Acting Director of EMU Institute for Graduate Studies and Research Prof. Dr. Derviş Subaşı and Assistant Director Prof. Dr. Eda Becer, deans, department chairs, administrative directors and academic staff attended the ceremony.
“Success in Never Coincidental”
Commenced with A Moment of Silence and National Anthem, the event continued with an opening speech by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç who expressed his pleasure and honour for gathering with everyone at the Academic Award Ceremony. He emphasized that recognizing achievements at the institutional level significantly contributes to raising the standard of success and enhancing motivation. Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted that EMU holds prominent positions in several reputable international university rankings, stressing that this reflects the high quality of education offered at the institution and the alignment of its academic programs with international standards. He further stated that the university’s accreditation by leading independent accreditation bodies around the world serves as a confirmation of this commitment to quality. Stating that these achievements are not a coincidence, Prof. Dr. Kılıç said that they are the result of the devoted efforts of the university’s academic and administrative staff. He also referred to the challenges faced by the university, noting that building a world-class institution under embargo conditions is far from easy, yet the EMU family has managed to achieve this through determination and discipline. Concluding his remarks, Prof. Dr. Kılıç expressed his confidence that by continuing to work harder and produce more, the university’s future will become even stronger. He also congratulated all academic staff members who were awarded.
“A Governance Approach Centered on Academic Freedom, Scientific Productivity and Quality Assurance”
In his speech, VYK President Şemi Bora emphasized that the awards presented represent not only individual achievements but also a tangible reflection of the university’s institutional academic vision. Bora noted that the academics included in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists List further strengthen the university’s standing within the international scientific community. He also stated that the awards based on scientific publications, citations, and research performance are a clear outcome of the university’s commitment to sustainable academic quality. Bora stated that EMU continues to fulfill this responsibility with determination through its strong research infrastructure, interdisciplinary initiatives, and international collaborations. He noted that every achievement further strengthens the university’s institutional stability and reinforces its academic standards. Concluding his remarks, Bora emphasized that the Board of Trustees remains committed to sustaining a governance approach centered on academic freedom, scientific productivity, and quality assurance.
“The Most Important Factor that Distinguishes Academics”
In his speech, Minister of National Education of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Nazım Çavuşoğlu expressed his satisfaction at being present at such a meaningful ceremony and noted that they are pleased to share in these academic achievements. Highlighting that Eastern Mediterranean University has long been described as the “apple of the country’s eye,” Çavuşoğlu remarked that words are often insufficient to fully convey this distinction. He stated that award ceremonies such as this contribute significantly to motivation. Çavuşoğlu also pointed out that although the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus faces certain embargoes due to its geographical and political circumstances, science knows no borders. He added that meeting successful EMU graduates abroad fills them with great pride. Expressing his pride in the inclusion of EMU academics in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists List, Çavuşoğlu described this achievement as a promising development. He stated that EMU, with around 16,000 students from over 110 countries and its multicultural campus environment, serves as an important center of higher education. Moreover, Çavuşoğlu noted that this diversity strengthens interaction and positions the university within the international academic arena. Highlighting that producing scientific publications is not something everyone can achieve, he emphasized that research and publication activities are what truly set academics apart. Minister Çavuşoğlu concluded his speech by congratulating all academics.
At the end of the ceremony academic staff demonstrating outstanding performance in 2024 year were presented with award and certificates by Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, VYK President Şemi Bora, VYK Members Özdinç Akdel and Turan Büyükyılmaz, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, Acting Director of EMU Institute for Graduate Studies and Research Prof. Dr. Derviş Subaşı and Assistant Director Prof. Dr. Eda Becer. The event concluded with a group photo shoot.
