The 2025 – 2026 Academic Year Spring Semester Associate and Undergraduate Graduation Ceremony of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) took place on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the EMU Yasin Düşüner Stadium. With diplomas conferred upon more than 1,800 graduates at the ceremony, EMU alumni community has grown to over 80,000.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of National Education of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Nazım Çavuşoğlu; Leader of the Main Opposition and Chairperson of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Dr. Sıla Usar İncirli; Minister of Labour and Social Security, Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu; Members of Parliament Resmiye Eroğlu Canaltay, Teberrüken Uluçay, Erkut Şahali and Şifa Çolakoğlu; Deputy Commander of the Security Forces Command, Brigadier General Mehmet Ali Akbaş; Commander of the 8th Commando Brigade, Brigadier General Ali Mete; Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Suat Yeldener; Chair of the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK), Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın; President of the Civil Defence Organization, Hakan Balaban; President of the EMU Board of Trustees, Şemi Bora; EMU Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç; Rector of Girne American University, Prof. Dr. Serdar Yurtsever; Rector of On Beş Kasım University, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Menekay; Rector of Istanbul Technical University TRNC, Prof. Dr. Erkan Ayder; Mayor of Famagusta, Dr. Süleyman Uluçay; Chair of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP), Zeki Çeler; Secretary General of YÖDAK, Cenk Dökmen; YÖDAK Members Prof. Dr. Remziye Terkan and Prof. Dr. Akın Cellatoğlu; EMU Board of Trustees Members Recai Ergün, Turan Büyükyılmaz, Özdinç Akdel and Dr. Eyüp Göksu; EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren; EMU Secretary General Derviş Ekşici; ministry directors, representatives of various universities, academics, students and their families.
The ceremony commenced with the graduates entering the stadium to applause and music while proudly carrying banners they had prepared. Following a moment of silence and the National Anthem, the program continued with a musical performance by Deniz Özkalay, Aylin Akyüz, Sıla Gutan, Kubilay Patoğlu, Teoman Eyüpoğlu and Işık Çağrı, students from the Music Teaching Program of the Department of Fine Arts Education within the Faculty of Education. At the conclusion of the performance, the student performers were presented with flowers by EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu.
Representing the Spring Semester graduates, Deniz Yücel, highest ranking student of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Psychology, and Mamoon Eissa Mamoon Bakr, top student of the Faculty of Engineering and the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Program, delivered speeches. This was followed by a symbolic tree-planting ceremony carried out by the graduating students.
“EMU Graduates Are Shaping the Future”
In his opening address, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç described the day as a special occasion on which universities bid farewell to their most valuable achievements as they embark on new chapters in life. He expressed his pride and joy in awarding diplomas to an additional 2,316 graduates during the Spring Semester of the 2025–2026 Academic Year. Prof. Dr. Kılıç also noted that the total number of graduates for the 2025–2026 Academic Year had reached 3,075, bringing the University’s total alumni since its establishment to 80,500. Reflecting on EMU’s 47-year history, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated that the University has achieved numerous successes, earned accreditations, established national and international collaborations, organized a wide range of social activities, and produced significant academic publications. He emphasized that these accomplishments are a testament to EMU’s status as a truly international university. Referring to the latest QS rankings, Prof. Dr. Kılıç noted that EMU ranks first among universities in the TRNC and is placed within the 600–700 range worldwide. He stressed that a university’s success is measured not only by academic achievements but also by the importance of students’ participation in social activities and community service projects. Emphasizing that EMU graduates are individuals who shape the future, he stated that they are well-qualified graduates who serve their countries, the world, and humanity.
“A Truly International University”
In his remarks, EMU Board of Trustees President Şemi Bora described the graduation ceremony as a special occasion celebrating years of hard work, patience, sacrifice, and determination, while also marking the beginning of new hopes and opportunities. He emphasized that, since its establishment, EMU has been a truly international university committed to generating knowledge, embracing universal values, bringing together diverse cultures, and educating qualified individuals for the world. Bora noted that the University is a distinguished higher education institution recognized in international rankings and accredited by international bodies. Bora also highlighted that EMU offers an international campus environment, drawing attention to its multicultural and diverse community. He concluded by noting that EMU graduates have achieved success in the institutions where they serve and continue to represent the University with pride.
“EMU: A Truly International Educational Environment”
Addressing the graduates, YÖDAK Chair Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın offered his heartfelt congratulations, emphasizing that they were graduating from EMU, one of the foremost institutions of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, having received a high-quality education. He expressed his belief that the knowledge and education they gained at EMU would lead them to success in both their professional careers and postgraduate studies. Stressing EMU’s commitment to quality education, Prof. Dr. Hocanın described the University as a truly international learning environment.
“EMU Is a Shared Value and a Remarkable Success Story for Turkish Cypriots”
In her opening address, Leader of the Main Opposition and Chairperson of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Dr. Sıla Usar İncirli, began by highlighting the sense of pride and the emotional atmosphere created by the graduates in their academic gowns. Emphasizing that EMU is a shared value and a remarkable success story for Turkish Cypriots, Dr. İncirli stated that the University continues to grow stronger with each passing day. Wishing the graduates every success, she said that they are individuals with the power to accomplish significant things for the world and to make a difference. Stressing that young people represent the greatest hope for the future, Dr. İncirli concluded by emphasizing that the real priority is to create a country that gives its young people hope.
“The TRNC’s Gateway to the World and a Pathway to Global Engagement”
Addressing the audience, Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu described EMU as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ gateway to the world and a pathway to global engagement. Referring to the University’s alumni network of more than 80,000 graduates, Minister Çavuşoğlu noted that EMU alumni can be found in many parts of the world, describing this as a source of pride and motivation. He emphasized that, since its establishment, EMU has played a significant role in strengthening the TRNC’s knowledge base and overcoming the challenges posed by international embargoes, expressing his appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the University’s development. Addressing the families, Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the students entrusted to the University are now graduates who will represent their country in a wide range of professions and contribute to its development. Wishing the graduates success in their professional careers, he also expressed his confidence that EMU’s international graduates would represent the University with distinction in their home countries, highlighting the importance of the University’s multicultural character.
After the opening addresses, members of the protocol presented diplomas and awards to the highest ranking students of the faculties and schools. The ceremony proceeded with the presentation of diplomas and awards to department valedictorians, followed by the conferral of associate and undergradute degrees by faculty deans, department chairs, and academic staff. The celebration concluded in high spirits as the graduates marked the occasion by tossing their caps into the air.
