Eastern Mediterranean University and the Chamber of Civil Engineers (İMO) operating under the Union of the Chambers of Cyprus Turkish Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB) signed a collaboration protocol for the establishment and operation of the “Concrete Cube Compression and Reinforcement Bar Tensile Testing Laboratory”. The said protocol was signed on Monday, 26 May 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the EMU Rector’s Office Building. Within the scope of the protocol, a laboratory will be set up on the EMU campus, dedicated to performing concrete cube compression tests and tensile strength tests on construction steel.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and KTMMOB Chamber of Civil Engineers Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Ekici signed the protocol during a signing ceremony which was attended by EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu, EMU Rector’s Office Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tolga Çelik, Assistant Head of EMU Department of Civil Engineering Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tülin Akçaoğlu, İMO Executive Board Members Ayşe Pekrioğlu Bakıs and Hüdaverdi Tozan, İMO Member Şener Çağnan and İMO Secretary General Ahmed Erkmen.
“Sectors of Academia and Industry Should Not Be Viewed Separately”
Delivering a speech at the signing ceremony, Chair of the KTMMOB Chamber of Civil Engineers Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Ekinci extended his thanks to EMU for their invitation and underscored the importance of the collaboration to be initiated between the parties. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekinci highlighted the critical role of collaboration between industry representatives and academic institutions, stressing how essential it is for professional chambers to engage with the academic world. He expressed his pleasure in partnering with EMU, describing it as one of Northern Cyprus’s most reputable and longstanding institutions. Emphasizing that the sectors of academia and industry should not be viewed separately, he stated, “These two sectors must work hand in hand, and as a Chamber, we highly value these types of partnerships.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekinci also pointed out the significance of overseeing building inspection systems and noted that the laboratory to be established through the protocol with EMU would pave the way for substantial advancements in the field by enabling more extensive testing capabilities.
In his remarks, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç emphasized that Eastern Mediterranean University is not only responsible for academic duties but also serves as a university for the community, and noted that universities should do more than produce knowledge, they must also guide and support both society and industry. Highlighting the value of academic-industry partnerships, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated, “Universities become truly meaningful when they contribute to the advancement of industries.” He described the newly signed protocol as a significant step toward achieving this goal. Referring to the heightened importance of building inspections after the 2023 earthquake, Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted that the university would focus on this area through the protocol, and pointed out that EMU continues its scientific contributions through the Earthquake Research Center, saying, “We are combining our scientific approach with industry practices. By uniting our academic expertise with your field experience, we aim to address sector needs.” Prof. Dr. Kılıç concluded by reaffirming EMU’s strong commitment to supporting this initiative with full effort.