Vecihi Hürkuş Aviation Higher School Administrative Building opens with a “Peace and Health” themed new Academic Year.

President Eroğlu:  I follow the furtherance of GAU with a distillation.

 

Ambassador Akça:  “Betting Offices situated next to schools are incompatible with the Education Island concept and Turkish society… the authorities must interfere”

 

Girne American University (GAU) has celebrated the 30th. anniversary of its foundation and the 2014-2015 academic year has begun with a coordinated ceremony.

 

The opening of GAU Vecihi Hürküş Aviation Higher School’s administrative building which has started education and training within the university this year, was held before the opening of the academic year.

 

The opening of the administrative building was conducted by Gönül Hürkuş, the daughter of Vecihi Hürkuş, and  the Minister of Public Works and Transportation - Hasan Taçoy and the Head of School - Hakkı Doğankaya gave speeches.

 

GAU Microlight Planes have flown to Girne heaven

 

The GAU microlight air training vehicles displayed a flight show, and there was a parachute jump at the end of the opening ceremony.

 

The opening of the academic year started with standing in silence and the Turkish National Anthem and  the opening speeches were held at the GAU International Congress Center Spectrum Hall. A dance show was given by the students of GAU Faculty of Performing Arts, the opening lesson was given, and the reception and 30th. year memory photos were taken.

 

GAU 2014-2015 Academic year opening ceremony was held with the participation of President Derviş Eroğlu, Turkey’s Lefkoşa Ambassador - Halil İbrahim Akça, Minister of National Education Özdemir Berova, the Minister of Public Works and Transportation - Hasan Taçoy, the General President of TDP - Cemal Özyiğit, District Governor of Girne - Mehmet Envergil, Mayor of Girne Nidai Güngördü, SSTK  - Fatih Yarımbaş, GAU President of Board of Trustees - Memduh Erdal, Foundation Rector and Chairman of the Board - Serhat Akpınar, CEO and Vice Chancellor of the Board Assist. - Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi, Vice Chancellors - Olgun Üstün, Cemile Esenyel, Acting Rector - Prof. Dr. Sadık Ülker, Gönül Hürkuş, the daughter of Vecihi Hürkuş and also. on behalf of the family, the Lawyer Bahadır Gürer  and the students at the GAU International Congress Center Spectrum Hall.

 

The opening speeches were given by President Derviş Eroğlu, Turkey’s Lefkoşa Ambassador - Halil İbrahim Akça, Minister of National Education - Özdemir Berova, Foundation Rector of GAU and Chancellor of the Board - Serhat Akpınar, CEO of GAU and Vice Chancellor of the Board -Assist. Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi, Acting Rector - Prof. Dr. Sadık Ülker and  Lawyer Bahadır Gürer on behalf of family of Vecihi Hürkuş.

 

Theme “Peace and Health”

 

Member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of University President, Rector of the University of Applied Sciences in Austria - Dr. Gerald Reisinger gave a lecture. “Peace and Health” which was a themed opening lecture of the year about “Terms of internalization of higher education cases, business education and research is example of upper Austria.

 

Eroğlu: “I pursue the growth with appreciation”

 

In his speech President Derviş Eroğlu said, he was honoured to be at GAU 30th academic year opening ceremony and he appreciates the achieved progress of the current phase of an established university during his time as Prime Minister.

 

The early stages, President Eroğlu stated, was the aim  to accomodate 15,000 students and 30,000 beds whereas this number has now reached 60-70,000 and is aimed to reach up to 100,000.

 

President Eroglu indicated that this target will also be met, and in this case, the government is preparing the necessary infrastructure and pointed out that it has a great role in the elimination of the deficiencies.

 

 “Country becomes a Country of Universities”

 

 “University is one of the important aspects of the TRNC. The country has been a University country” said President Eroglu and with the increased number of universities and students the next focus point should be on quality.

 

Eroğlu noted that graduates are the precursors of opening to foreign countries, it carries great importance for the TRNC if they  become ministers, undersecretaries and hold senior positions in their own countries.

 

 “Peace and Health theme is the exact word”

 

Eroğlu indicated that this year’s “peace and health” theme of the academic year is accurate and correct and when we look at countries in the region around the island of Cyprus, people would be seen requesting peace and health services.

 

President Eroglu also underlined  that students made the appropriate choice of the TRNC for higher education and noted that students coming for university education in TRNC will find peace, security and quality.

 

Akça: “Education Island… Student Number Exceeded 72,000”

 

Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey Nicosia - Halil İbrahim Akça, with the 30th foundation, wished good luck for all the academics and students for the 2014- 2015 academic year.

 

Ambassador Akça expressed that the higher education sector in the country turns the island into an “education island.”  He noted that the number of students in higher education in TRNC has exceeded 72,000.

 

Akça  indicated that the number of students has risen by a gain of 67, and underlined that  when this trend is utilized it can be easily seen that the number of students in higher education will rise to 100,000.

 

Ambassador Akça, noted that these figures constitute about one-third of the population of the country and in this case rulers of the country besides being prepared they are tasked to correct the lack of infrastructure.

 

As Nicosia Embassy of the Republic of Turkey makes a significant contribution to the university sector, Ambassador Akça pointed out that all universities know these facts and said that current challenges in higher education cannot only be solved by financial aid , central, local governments and civil society organizations also should contribute to it.

 

 “Betting Offices do not fit in with the concept and with Turkish society”

 

Ambassador Akça also addressed the lack of entertainment places outside the school for the social life of students , and as for the betting offices that opened near the school, he pointed out that the state officials should  interfere as it does not go with the “education island” concept and Turkish society.

 

Berova: “We are striving to turn Universities to be a centre of attraction”

 

In his speech, Minister of Education - Özdemir Berova, wished GAU 2014-2015 new Vecihi Hürkuş Aviation High School Administrative Building opening with the new academic year to be beneficial.

 

Minister Berova indicated the importance of the opening of  aviation schools in universities which shows the level of university education reached in our country, then he noted in addition that the government should make sure students receive quality education with intensive effort made to make universities the centre of attraction.

 

Taçoy: “Great Service to Civıi Aviation”

 

Public Works and Transportation Minister - Hasan Taçoy, in his speech at the opening of GAU Vecihi Hürkuş Aviation Higher School, stated his belief that the newly opened Aviation Higher School will offer great services to the TRNC civil aviation.

 

Akpınar: “Global Higher Education in 3 Continents”

 

GAU Founding Rector and Chancellor of the Board - Serhat Akpınar, expressed the honour of  having campuses in 3 continents and being able to give direction to the global phenomenon of higher education at  the GAU 30th foundation year and wished the new academic year to be beneficial for academic staff and students.

 

Vehbi:  “We are very close to 15,000 target”

 

GAU CEO and Vice Chancellor of the Board - Asım Vehbi, remarked on the Founding Rector Serhat Akpınar’s decision to open a university in 1985, which shows his determination and his vision and with the successful steps taken in the last 30 years, GAU is growing with each passing day.

 

Vehbi, noted that they are very close to the target of 15,000 students which was determined in university in 2015 and said they would reach absolute.

 

Ülker: “15,000 students from 95 countrıes”

 

GAU Acting Rector - Prof. Dr. Sadık Ülker, emphasised the importance of leaving behind 30 years of higher education and wished the 2014- 2015 academic year to be beneficial to all academics and students.

 

Ülker, noted as the first university of the country, they had the honour of teaching about 15,000 students from 95 countries.

 

Gürer, spoke about Vecihi Hürkuş

 

Speaking on behalf of the family Vecihi Hürkuş, Lawyer Bahadır Gürer, expressed the happiness of the Hürkuş family for naming the Aviation Higher School at GAU “Vecihi Hürkuş.”

 

Gürer in his speech, gave information about the life of the “Tayyareci, War Pilot  Vecihi Hürkuş” who was born in 1896 and died in 1969.

 

Doğankaya: “Proud Day”

 

GAÜ Vecihi Hürkuş Aviation Higher School Principal - Hakkı Doğankaya, stated in his speech that it was a proud day and with the school opened in GAU they will try to serve and contribute to Turkish Aviation, as the late Vecihi Hürkuş did.