Girne American University, which has been a global university since it was established, hosted the family of global sciences and honored guests in the “30th Year Gala Dinner Reception”.

In the “GAU 30th Year Gala Dinner Reception” which was held in Le Chateau Lambousa Hotel, there were an opening speech, plaque presentation, speeches, lighting the torch for the 50th year, fireworks show, GAU School of Performing Arts dance show and a concert of ENBE Orchestra.

GAU Global Science Family, European Council for Business Education (ECBE) Director Bryn Holden, International Turkish Culture Organization (TURKSOY) General Secretary Düsen Kaseinov, International Turcology Center Chair Yerden Kazibek, and former GAU academician Dr. Manfred Langer attended to the GAU 30th Year Gala Dinner Reception as honored guests.

Premiere night was started with the opening speech of GAU Rector Prof. Dr. Sadık Ülker. Ülker stated that GAU, which established 30 years ago with the progressive visions of Serhat Akpınar and Memduh Erdal, took the lead for the country to be remembered as an  “university island” and as GAU family, they experience the proper pride of this. Ülker emphasized that with its campuses in 3 continents, many generic campuses in all over the world, international accreditations, 13 thousand students from 100 countries and academicians from 30 different countries, GAU is an international university. It was also explained that GAU established the Universities Association in order to work in cooperation with other universities in Cyprus and with the motivation of 30th year, they will take firm steps forward through the 50th year.

In the speech of GAU CEO and Vice Chancellor of Board of Administrators Asım Vehbi, it was stated that in the road they took together in 1985, although necessary laws and rules were not made yet, they decided to establish an university, and if today TRNC is an university island, GAU has the most important part in this. Vehbi also reminded that the 30 years of the university carried out with 10-yeared strategic plans and for the 50th year, as GAU, they aim to increase their campuses from 3 continents to 5 continents and the students from 100 different countries to 200 different countries.

In his speech, GAU Founding Rector and Chancellor of Board of Administrators Serhat Akpınar emphasized that celebrating the 30th year of the GAU is a different pride and excitement and they lead TRNC to be a university island. Akpınar stated that in the 30th year activities, GAU went over the limits of island and with the YÖK and YÖDAK approved programs and accreditations from international institutions, GAU is a globally approved university. It was referred that 30 years ago, they started to give education with 7 students and now 13 thousand students from 100 countries receive education from GAU, with the campuses in 3 continents, generic campuses in many countries, GAU took considerable steps in internationalization.

Akpınar stated that the journey through the 50th year has started, in the 50th year, their goal is to spread their campuses into 5 continents and as GAU Global Science Family, they will always be in compliance and continue to modernize.

ECBE Director Bryn Holden also stated that during 30 years, GAU had an important developments in higher education,  and with its accreditations, campuses in 3 continents, generic campuses and world class educations, GAU took important steps in internationalization and celebrated the family of GAU.

After his speech, ECBE Director Bryn Holden awarded certificates to the GAU as GAU Business Faculty completed its all accreditations up to 2018 in 20 different diciplines and in associate degree and post graduate programs.

In his speech, GAU Academician Dr. Manfred Langer stated that he is very honored to attend 30th Year Gala activity of GAU and GAU which started to give education with 7 students, became a global university by making great progress in that period.

International Turcology Center Chair Yerden Kazibek emphasized that 30 years of GAU was full of achievements and GAU Founding Rector and Chancellor of Board of Administrators Serhat Akpınar, Chair of Board of Trustees Memduh Erdal and Global Science Family have an important part in these achievements.

In the speech of International Turkish Culture Organization (TURKSOY) General Secretary Düsen Kaseinov, it was recorded that GAU which aimed to raise high quality and international students is one of the reputable university of world with its success-oriented and self-renewing vision. Kaseinov also reminded that TURKSOY is in cooperation with GAU in many fields and celebrated Serhat Akpınar and GAU Global Science Family for cherishing the culture and common heritage of Turkish Communities, handing it down to the next generations, works in order to establish friendship bonds in Turkish world and the contributions they made to the Turkish Culture and Art.

After the speech of Kaseinov, Due to his labours for the Turkish community and humanity, Serhat Akpınar was given the medal of “SupremeTurkish Eagle” by Turkish Culture Organization and the medal of “2015 Haldun Taner Year” by TURKSOY. Memduh Erdal was also given the medal of  “Symbol of Central Asian Turks” by General Secretary of TURKSOY, Düsen Kaseinov.

After the speeches, Serhat Akpınar gave 30th year certificates of honor for the ones who made contributions for the improvement of GAU since it was established. Firstly GAU Chair of Board of Trustees Memduh Erdal, then, Health Culture and Sports Head of Department Türkay Akpınar, Vice Chancellor of Board of Administrators Olgun Üstün, CEO and Vice Chancellor of Board of Administrators Assist. Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi, Vice Chancellor of Board of Administrators Cemile Esenyel, Rector Prof. Dr. Sadık Ulker, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karakartal, Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Ağdelen, International Turkish Culture Organization Chair Yerden Kazibek and many members of GAU Global Science Family were given their 30^th year certificates of honor.

Premiere night continued with the dance show of the students of GAU School of Performing Arts. After, ENBE Orchestra gave an amazing concert. The night ended with the fireworks show.