Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) and the Iskele Mimoza Inner Wheel Association have signed a collaboration protocol aimed at supporting disadvantaged university students and community members in need. The said protocol was signed on Monday, 11 August 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at EMU Rector’s Office by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and Iskele Mimoza Inner Wheel Association’s Chairperson Gülsün Korun and Inner Wheel Association Founding Chair Nesligül Onurel. EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu and EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences academic staff member Prof. Dr. Sıtkıye Kuter also signed the protocol as witnesses. Iskele Mimoza Inner Wheel Association members were also present during the signing of the said collaboration protocol.

As part of the protocol, university students facing financial difficulties and struggling to continue their education and daily lives will have the opportunity to work part-time at the Mimoza Bazaar (Second-Hand Sales Venue) on the EMU campus. The proceeds from the bazaar will benefit both disadvantaged students and other community members in need, as well as support stray animals.

In line with the protocol, EMU will provide the Iskele Mimoza Inner Wheel Association with the venue for the sales and, will promote this collaboration through the student portal, its official website and on-campus premises. The Association will supply the products and coordinate the required staff and work areas with EMU. Applications will be submitted via a dedicated link and online form on the EMU student portal, and the results will be communicated to the Association’s representatives by the EMU Rector’s Office. Additionally, under the protocol, Association members will have access to in-service training seminars and discounted foreign language courses at the Continuing Education Center.

“We will continue our Contributions to the Geography We live in”

Making an address during the protocol signing, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç said; “Today, we are gathered to mark the signing of a meaningful and valuable protocol. As a community-focused university, EMU is committed not only to providing education but also to strengthening its relationship with society and increasing its contributions. Through these initiatives and projects, we will continue to positively impact our region. We take pride in fulfilling this responsibility, and this collaboration is especially important both for serving the community and for giving our students hands-on involvement in the project”.

“EMU – The Ideal Place”

In her speech, Gülsün Korun, the Chairperson of Iskele Mimoza Inner Wheel Association, extended their thanks to EMU for their support in this project that brings together the society education and youth. Highlighting that the project’s proceeds will support both women and young people, Korun thanked Prof. Dr. Sıtkıye Kuter, from EMU Department of Educational Sciences and the project’s visionary, as well as EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu for their valuable contributions. She added that, given the project’s potential to benefit society in many ways, EMU was the ideal place to launch it.

“A First in TRNC”

EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Sciences academic staff member Prof. Dr. Sıtkıye Kuter also made remarks, sating; “This project was a dream of mine. I have full confidence that it will benefit the community. Our project is a first in TRNC and, it holds great importance to realize this first at EMU. I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Inner Wheel Association and my university in making my dream come true. It is a great pleasure to carry this project with EMU which I refer as my home”.

“We cannot think of the University Separately from Society”

In her speech, EMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu conveyed her thanks to Iskele Mimoza Inner Wheel Association for their sensitive act and said; “We cannot think of the university separately from society. Students are what give life to the university, while society is what gives life to us. This project is highly meaningful in terms of raising awareness and will also be very beneficial for our students”. Prof. Dr. Zorlu added that, thanks to the social responsibility of EMU and the Inner Wheel Association, this collaboration will pave the way for even greater opportunities.

“Serving Society is Our Primary Goal”

Nesligül Onurel, Founding Chair of the Inner Wheel Association, expressed her gratitude to Prof. Dr. Sıtkıye Kuter, the project’s initiator, and emphasized that, in line with Inner Wheel principles, serving society is their primary goal. She added that the collaboration with EMU will allow them to continue advancing this mission.