Girne American University continues to open new departments within the frame of its 25th anniversary celebrations. GAU has now started to accept students to its Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Maritime Management, Logistics and Transportation, Captainship of Deck and Captainship of Open Sea.

GAU’s Chairman of the Board Serhat Akpınar replied the questions of GAU TV. Akpınar said that they are going to build a new harbour and new buildings for the GAU Faculty of Maritime and Transportation in the new academic year. Akpınar emphasized the importance of infrastructure for maritime education and added the Faculty of Maritime will be the first and only one with its own harbour and marina.

Akpınar also said that GAU’s Vice President Olgun Üstün, Rector Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Öner, the Rector of Piri Reis University, Prof Dr. Osman Kamil Sağ and the Vice Rector Prof Dr. Mahmut Calal Barla signed an academic cooperation agreement for the 2009-2010 academic year. As part of the agreement; teacher transfers, support and development programmes and an international maritime organisation IMO STCW will be set up.

Akpınar said that their cooperation with one of the most important universities in Turkey for maritime education is a great opportunity for students to get the best education. GAU also emphasized that the Turkish undersecretary for Maritime Affairs supports the project.) Akpınar gave information about the Faculty of Aviation as well and said that they are working hard to put the project into effect in the coming academic year. He said that GAU is an intercontinental university and after infrastructure works are completed, the Aviation and Maritime faculties will be the first and best in North Cyprus.