At the graduation ceremony held by Near East College at MOE Stage, the first graduates, including Near East Enterprises Board of Trustees Chairman Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, entered to the venue carrying a banner that said “Our school is 30 years old. We graduated, we did not break up!”
Near East College, the first private college of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, combined its 30th anniversary celebrations with graduation enthusiasm. Enthusiasm and pride were experienced together at the ceremony held at MOE Stage on the Near East University campus.
At the night where 169 students who graduated this year celebrated their success with their families and teachers, the first graduates of Near East College also attended and celebrated the 30th anniversary of their school. Among them are the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, formed a cortege and entered into the ceremony venue carrying a banner that said “Our school is 30 years old. We graduated, we did not break up.”
Academic and Sports Achievements Honored
During the ceremony, the achievements of 4 students who came first in the world and Europe in international exams in mathematics and science were honored. Then, the certificates of 19 students who made outstanding success in IELTS and SAT exams, which measure English language proficiency and have an important place in university admissions, were presented. In addition, the achievements of the students who broke records and the teams that won the championship in the sports competitions held in the TRNC and Turkey during the year were once again celebrated through the certificates presented.
Near East College athletes, who became champions in 9 branches in the TRNC this year, also ranked second in 12 branches. Basketball and Handball teams participated in the tournaments held in Turkey and took part in the top eight. Near East College athletes, who won a total of 24 trophies for their schools, made all educators and parents proud with their success.
The certificates of the 19 students who were eligible to receive the Dr. Suat Günsel Scholarship and study at the Near East College next year were presented by the Founding Rector of the University of Kyrenia and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemre S. Günsel Haskasap.
Defne Öz and Nehir Hınçal, among the students who completed their college education by receiving the Dr. Suat Günsel Scholarship, shared the first place among the graduates, while Nikita Gordeev received her diploma as the third top graduate. There were colorful moments at the ceremony with live music, DJ performance and fireworks.
The opening speeches of the ceremony, which started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, were made by Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel and Near East College Director Ömer Özkan. Çağrı Kalfaoğlu, a 1998-1999 graduate, spoke on behalf of the first graduates. Defne Öz and Nehir Hınçal, who became the valedictorians, and Nikita Gordeev, who became the third top graduate student, expressed their feelings on behalf of all their friends. Following the speeches, the traditional ‘Flag Handover’ ceremony took place. At the ceremony, he Turkish Flag, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Flag and the Near East College Flag were handed over to the senior students of the next academic year with applause.
Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel: “The first graduates of our school and the current graduates are side by side; This symbolizes the deep-rooted past and strong future of Near East College.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, who is among the first graduates of the Near East College, stated that the purpose of establishing the Near East College was; “Our aim is to equip the country’s children with the qualifications required by the age and to raise generations that will carry our country and our people into the future.” Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel said, “The first graduates of our school and the graduates of the day are side by side. This symbolizes the deep-rooted past and strong future of Near East College.”
Addressing the graduating students, Prof. Dr. Günsel said, “Here you are not only equipped with knowledge, at the same time, you were raised with the awareness of your responsibility towards society and future generations. As Near East College graduates, you are now a part of this big family. Never break away from each other. Our expectation from you is that with this strong training you have received, you also add value to society. Do not forget that your success is our greatest source of pride.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap: “The world and European degrees achieved by our students in international exams and the sporting successes full of championships and records are the result of our deep-rooted education tradition.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Near East Enterprises, who is also responsible for primary and secondary education, talked about the deep-rooted educational tradition of the Near East College, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and emphasized that they also carried it to Kyrenia and Famagusta regions with Kyrenia Dr. Suat Günsel College and Near East Yeniboğaziçi College. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cemre Günsel Haskasap also said that the hundreds of graduates they have given so far have turned into effective individuals who have achieved great success in many professional groups. Cemre Günsel Haskasap said, “The world and European degrees achieved by our students in international exams in the 2023-2024 academic period and the sporting successes full of championships and records are a result of our deep-rooted education tradition. We will continue to carry our achievements forward and transform future generations into individuals who are fluent in languages, self-confident and equipped with the skills required by the age.”
Ömer Özkan: “Continue to learn, grow and make a positive impact on the world. May your path be bright and your future be bright.”
Near East Secondary School Principal Ömer Özkan congratulated the success of the students and thanked the teachers and families who contributed greatly to this success. Recalling the 30-year success of Near East College and emphasizing the importance of planning and programming in achieving its goals, Ömer Özkan said, “This fine academic year in which we achieved the world first place in the A-Level Mathematics exam is the most concrete example of our dedication. Again this year, the four European first places we achieved in the ILS Mathematics and Science exams made us proud and crowned the success of our school.” Stating that these achievements are an indication of how strong the school provides scientific education, Ömer Özkan said, “We have full faith that our young people, who advance in the light of science, will achieve great things in the future.”
Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” Özkan emphasized that students have the knowledge and skills to make the world a better place with the education they receive. Özkan concluded his speech by saying, “Continue to learn, grow and make a positive impact on the world. He concluded his speech with the following words: “May your path be clear and your future be bright.”
Çağrı Kalfaoğlu: “We have been experiencing the excitement of being the first students of Near East College for 30 years.”
Speaking on behalf of the first graduates of Near East College, Çağrı Kalfaoğlu, a 1998-1999 graduate, stated that they have had the privilege of being one of the first students of Near East College for 30 years. “Firsts are difficult, unknown, but exciting. We have been experiencing the excitement of being the first students of the Near East College, the first private college of the TRNC, for 30 years,” said Kalfaoğlu, adding, “The complete and quality education we received from our teachers at the Near East College made us who we are, made us a huge family.”
Stating that being a pioneer, especially in the TRNC, requires great courage and vision, Kalfaoğlu said, “How happy are the Turkish Cypriot people who managed to raise a visionary like our teacher Suat Günsel. In the first years of my career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I frequently accompanied high-level officials from abroad, and all delegations wanted to visit Near East University and meet with our teacher Suat Günsel. Our teacher Suat Günsel transferred to us his unshakable ties to his country and state. I also had the honor of serving my country with the education I received here. We cannot thank our teacher Suat Günsel and Günsel Family enough for offering this opportunity to me and all my friends.”
