Akpinar: “Mersin and Girne are more intimate now”

GAU signed a new academic protocol which has culminated in over 130 protocols with universities in Turkey and all around the world through the 30th year of the establishment in Higher Education.

GAU is currently the forerunner, with more than 130 academic protocols and scientific sharing, of the other GAU international overseas campuses and educational centres in England, Singapore, USA and Turkey. The signing ceremony, which was held in Girne American University Girne Campus Millennium Building Chancellor’s Office Meeting Hall, was attended by GAU Founding Rector and Chancellor of the Board of Administrators - Serhat Akpınar and GAU CEO and Vice-Chancellor of the Board of Administrators - Asım Vehbi on behalf of GAU, and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees - Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahu Kaynak, Member of the Board of Trustees - Mehmet Kaynak and Project Development Expert - Volkan Güngör, on behalf of Toros University.

The signing of the protocol was carried out by GAU Founding Rector and Chancellor of the Board of Administrators - Serhat Akpınar and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees Assist. - Prof. Dr. Ahu Kaynak on behalf of Toros University.
Akpınar, “Mersin and Girne are more intimate now”

GAU Founding Rector and Chancellor of the Board of Administrators - Serhat Akpınar stated in his speech at the signing ceremony: “I firstly thank the Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees - Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahu Kaynak and the Member of the Board of Trustees - Mehmet Kaynak.I was recently informed that our brother Volkan is now the Head of the Enterprise Department of Toros University as he was previously with GAU during the preparation phase of the procedure and I also welcome you all and share my sincere appreciation to you for visiting our University. I wish the best for the protocol signed between GAU and Toros University which will contribute for student exchange, lecturer exchange and common course development programs and also for the programs within Toros schools, Toros College and relevant pre-schools. I once more extend our appreciation on behalf of GAU for the visit, as Mersin and Girne will be more intimate and will develop this process.”

The Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees - Assist. Prof. Dr. Ahu Kaynak stated in her comments to GAU TV that she also supported Akpınar’s views and added that they had been hosted perfectly and felt very much at home. Ahu Kaynak further stated that the interaction between the two Universities will be more frequent in the forthcoming process.

Kaynak also stated: “I am very honoured to be in this beautiful University. We are delighted to be welcomed through the esteemed hosting of Mr Serhat. I believe that this protocol will lead us to success. We have 50 years of experience as Toros Schools and 4 years of experience as a University. I believe that we will benefit from GAU's experience as a University. The meeting was longer and broader than we expected. The meeting was very pleasant and I believe we will achieve success through our co-operation.”

Kaynak continued her speech and stated that “Toros University was established in 2009 and began student admission in 2010. We currently provide education for more than 200 undergraduates and 1000 post-graduate students. The initial attempt under the protocol we have signed with GAU is to commence student exchange programs for both the University and Primary and Secondary School students. Following this there will be possible exchange programs for Lecturers and also the summer school programs. In addition to this we have promised each other to support the establishment of new departments. Therefore, we will contribute for both education and social co-operation,”
Kaynak: “Internationalization is achieved by only a few Universities in both Turkey and the TRNC, therefore we will take GAU as an example in our process of development.”

Kaynak also referred to the internationalization vision and the overseas campuses of GAU, she stated: “I was very surprised when I heard all about this. I congratulate you as you have achieved development significantly. These are indeed important successes. I assume that these are only achieved by a few Universities in both Turkey and Cyprus. I admire this achievement. As I have already mentioned, we look forward to taking GAU as a model. Your University upholds a broad vision and, as we are a newly established University, we desire to uphold our vision in the same way.”