The University of Kyrenia was founded with the mission of “training critical and innovative research-focused scholars, who will create knowledge and value in an international educational background and who will develop an appreciation of ethical and moral values, with a sense of social responsibility”.
The roots of the University lie in the establishment of the first Maritime Studies Faculty in Cyprus at our sister university, Near East University, in 1978, and this history gives us thirty-five years of expertise in the field.
Once the legal formalities were complete, University of Kyrenia (KU) was founded in Kyrenia, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Cyprus, in 2013. The University has the approval of the TRNC’s Ministry of National Education and received its accreditation from the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation Accreditation and Coordination Council (YODAK), on the 19th of March 2013 (Law no. 33/2006-12).
The University of Kyrenia assumed full control of the Faculties of Maritime Studies; Maritime Management and Administration, and Marine Sciences. It also took responsibility for the Marine Transportation and Management postgraduate program and all the Maritime Vocational School programs (with all their infrastructure and superstructure) from NEU. Working with an extant infrastructure of students and lecturers from the very start has given the University the edge in providing an ideal education with deep-rooted experience.
Following accreditation by YODAK and having met all the necessary standards, the University of Kyrenia applied for approval from Turkey’s Council of Higher Education (YOK). The University was granted this on the 16th of January 2014, and it was officially established on the 28th of January 2014 (Document no. 75850160.301.01.182), immediately opening its doors to students in 10 different programs in the Maritime faculties.
Initially, the university utilized facilities provided by the sister university, Near East University, but within a year the construction began on a new 2.7 hectare seaside campus, located in Karakum, Kyrenia. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on the 27th of September 2013, and attracted huge public attention. The university began classes on its new campus on the 15th of November 2015, the TRNC’s Republic Day.
The majority of the University’s Maritime programs are implemented in full compliance with the regulations and standards laid down by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication of the Republic of Turkey. Regular inspections are carried out by the Turkish authorities.
As a result of the wide-ranging market research, the Board of Trustees of the University decided to create a Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences, to offer undergraduate degree programs in the Departments of Civil Air Logistics; Aviation Management (Civil Air Transport Management), and Professional Pilot Training (Pilotage). The Faculty of Aviation and Space Sciences opened its doors to students for the academic year of 2015-2016.
University of Kyrenia Flight Training Organization (FTO) offers Professional Pilotage Program with theoretical flight training as the program’s core courses.
University of Kyrenia FTO is approved by Turkish Civilian Aviation Authority, Directorate of General Civilian Aviation (DGCA), with the certification number: TR-FTO (A)-32.
FTO has its unique “Quality Management System” covering “Quality Assurance System” defined in its “FTO Quality Management Manuel” approved by the DGCA. Inspections, as part of the quality assurance, are carried out by the DGCA and Internal Quality Management Team in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations and requirements.
The Faculties of Education; Law; Economics and Administrative Sciences; Architecture; Engineering; Health Sciences and Medicine were opened in 2015. The new faculties offer 18 new undergraduate programs. A further 4 associate degree programs are offered by the Vocational School of Health Sciences, and these began in the academic year of 2016-2017. The Faculty of Dentistry and the School of Foreign Languages also opened their doors to new students for the academic year of 2016-2017
The University Board authorized construction of the Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital, which has 20 polyclinics, in an effort to encourage the development of medical education and research. The opening of the region’s best-equipped hospital took place on the 15th of November 2016. The University’s commitment to progress includes further significant investment in the construction of lecture halls, a library and student residences, and new buildings for the Faculties of Dentistry, Law, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Health Sciences, Medicine and the School of Foreign Languages.
In order to promote sustainability and demonstrate its effort to be recognized as a globally respected institution in the fields of Education and Science, the University has chosen to place an emphasis on the creation of knowledge, research programs and scientific publication. As part of this, the university has already taken part in a variety of Maritime research projects funded by the EU and TUBITAK during our short history. It also fosters marine research through the activities of its research vessel, the M/Y J. TEAL, which is equipped with the most up-to-date technologies.
The University places great weight on Research, and its strategic plan provides for ‘scientific research project support of lecturers’. As part of this, the University gives funding for attendance at conferences and scientific meetings, and helps its staff to publish in prestigious scientific journals in order to promote academic development. The University is currently funding four significant research projects.
The University of Kyrenia has become one of the most prominent educational institutions in the region, and it contributes to the development of both the region and our country through its 35 under-graduate programs; 2 postgraduate programs; 9 associate degree programs offered by two vocational schools and one preparatory school. Not content with this, further endeavors and expansion are already being planned.