Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) organized a “Long Service Recognition Ceremony” to honor the academic, administrative and working staff who had completed 25-years of service at the University, as well as staff who retired between the years of 2022 and 2026. Held on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall, the ceremony featured the presentation of commemorative plaques to staff members in recognition of their years of dedicated service to the University.
The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, Chair of the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK); Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tümer, Director of Cyprus Evkaf Administration; Recai Ergün, President of EMU Board of Trustees (VYK); EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, YÖDAK Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Hasan Amca, EMU VYK Member Özdinç Akdel, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, EMU General Secretary Derviş Ekşici and, academic and administrative personnel.
“EMU’s Identity and Reputation Shaped by the Dedicated Efforts of Its Staff”
Speaking at the ceremony, which commenced with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç emphasized that the true strength of a university lies in the people who devote their years, knowledge, efforts, and hearts to the institution. Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated that EMU’s institutional identity and reputation have been shaped by the dedication and commitment of its academic and administrative staff. Noting that staff members who had retired from EMU or completed 25 years of service had touched the lives of students and made lasting contributions to the University’s development, Prof. Dr. Kılıç highlighted the importance of a sense of belonging and loyalty. He underlined that strong institutions are those that honor their past, value the contributions of their employees, and pass on their accumulated knowledge and experience to future generations. Prof. Dr. Kılıç further stated that the awards presented during the ceremony were a reflection of the University’s respect and gratitude towards its staff. Thanking all staff members for their dedicated service to the University, Prof. Dr. Kılıç extended his best wishes for health, peace, and happiness to those who had retired, while wishing those continuing their service many more years of success.
“EMU Plays a Significant Role in TRNC Higher Education”
Chair of YÖDAK, Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, expressed his delight at being reunited with the EMU family and extended his appreciation to everyone involved in organizing the ceremony. Highlighting EMU’s prominent standing within the TRNC higher education sector, Prof. Dr. Hocanın noted that the University’s reputation stems not only from its academic accomplishments but also from its deeply rooted institutional culture and traditions, cultivated through the collective contributions of its academic and administrative staff. He emphasized the need to preserve and further develop this valuable institutional legacy. Prof. Dr. Hocanın further stressed the importance of integrating the principles of truthfulness, integrity, justice, equality, and democracy into all aspects of university operations. Expressing his expectation that EMU would continue to lead efforts to foster a culture of quality in higher education, he also addressed matters relating to institutional oversight and accreditation. Underscoring the significance of formally demonstrating adherence to international quality standards, Prof. Dr. Hocanın wished EMU continued success in its quality enhancement efforts and congratulated the staff members recognized during the ceremony. Following his address, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç presented Prof. Dr. Hocanın with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his 25 years of service at the University.
Late Staff Members Remembered
The ceremony also featured the presentation of commemorative plaques in memory of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arif Akkeleş, a faculty member who passed away in 2024, and Instructor Canan Koran, who passed away in 2025, in recognition of their dedicated service to the University and to honor their memory. EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç presented the plaques to the families of the late staff members.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques to EMU staff members in recognition of their 25 years of service or retirement. The plaques were presented by YÖDAK Chair Prof. Dr. Hocanın, Director of the Cyprus Evkaf Administration Prof. Dr. Tümer, President of the EMU Board of Trustees Ergün, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç, YÖDAK Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Amca, EMU Board of Trustees Member Akdel, EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Karatepe and Prof. Dr. Öztüren, and EMU Secretary General Ekşici.
