Celebrating its 26th anniversary in higher education, Girne American University held its 2010-2011 academic year graduation ceremony at Kyrenia Amphitheatre.

A statement from GAU said that GAU had the proud honour graduating 612 students from 27 countries. The graduation ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Kemal Dürüst; Turkish Embassy to Nicosia Aid Committee Consultant, Neriman Yasar; Kyrenia District Governor, Gürkan Kara; President of the Higher Education Inspection and Accreditation Department (YODAK), Dr Hasan Ali Bıçak; GAU Rector, Dr Yıldırım Oner; GAU Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Memduh Erdal; Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GAU, Serhat Akpınar; Vice Chairmen of the Board of Directors of GAU, Olgun Ustün and Cemile Esenyel; President of GAU Health, Culture and Sport Department, Türkay Akpınar and academic and administrative staff from GAU.

During the ceremony all the attendants stood for one minute’s silence in honour of the late Salih Sonel, the GAC Principal who died unexpectedly last month and Ozden Kutlar, a young student who died in a traffic accident.

Before the Turkish National Anthem followed by speeches, families of graduates enjoyed a special concert by Ersen Sururi and Zelis Senol.
Campuses shape education

Girne American University Rector Dr Yıldırım Oner celebrated all the graduates and told the students that a new learning process has begun for them.

He said that from now on graduates from Turkey do not need to get accreditation for their diplomas from the Turkish Higher Education Council (YOK) which shows the quality of education at GAU. He underlined the importance of being international for Higher Education and added graduates will reap the rewards. He wished good fortune in the future to all the graduates in their lives.

In his speech Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Serhat Akpınar, also wished the graduates luck and advised them to follow their dreams and also to always stand up for what they truly believe. “You can never find happiness easily, to find it you have to work hard. Rational decisions will take you to the point you want to reach at. Your decisions will determine your future,” said Akpınar, adding that graduates who were prepared for their future with GAU will always struggle against injustices and any kind of injustice by drawing on their experiences and knowledge.

The Minister of National Education, Youth and Sport, Kemal Dürüst, said “As the Minister of Education, I once again saw that universities are the main points which teach North Cyprus to embrace with the whole world despite all the injustices imposed on us.” Dürüst congratulated GAU officials for their vision and successes and underlined that education will be the sole basis for the future success of North Cyprus. Dürüst added his congratulations for the students.
Great honour

Dr Hasan Ali Bıçak also made a speech and said that with its campuses in England, US and Singapore, having GAU Diploma is a great privilege and honour.

He addressed the parents from foreign countries and said “You saw the inhuman isolations imposed on North Cyprus. The Turkish Cypriot side does its best for a fair agreement. I wish from all you to become ambassadors for North Cyprus.”

GAU’s top graduate, Maer Manoun Al Tamemi, who graduated from Information Systems Management Masters Programme, made a speech on behalf of GAU students. Graduates were presented their diplomas by officials from the government and GAU.

Accompanied by a magnificent fireworks show, the 25th Graduation Ceremony of GAU ended with graduates throwing their graduation caps into the air.