Minister of Public Works and Transport, Erhan Arıklı, visited EMU and stated that they will implement the public transportation system in a very short time, “We will eliminate the problem of public transportation on all universities,” he said.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arikli, visited Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Rectorate.
During the said visit; Hande Güzoğlu, Private Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, EMU Board of Trustees Members Kadir Yel Ersun Kutup, Halil Orun and Hasan Esen, Vice Rector for Social and Cultural Affairs Prof. Dr. Deniz İşişoğlu and Vice Rector for Administrative and Technical Affairs Prof. Dr. Serhan Şensoy were also present.
Speaking at the visit, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hodja, stated that they were happy for Minister Arıklı’s visit to EMU
Stating that as a state university, EMU always fulfills its duties in terms of education, research and community service. In the 2022-2023 Academic Year, a significant number of students from the TRNC, the Republic of Turkey and foreign countries emphasized that they prefer EMU.
In particular, the TRNC Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Council of Ministers, the government and the state, as a state university, will be involved in the activities of EMU.
Noting that they will discuss supporting EMU, he underlined that beyond being one of the 21 universities in the TRNC, they are the oldest and the only state university established by law.
Prof. Dr. Aykut Hodja stated that they have missions for EMU’s compliance with all legal regulations, setting an example in this regard, leading legal steps regarding the personal rights of faculty members and the security of their employees, organizing plans, projects, programs related to taking steps towards strategic goals, and supporting state institutions with advanced manpower.
Your service to society, expressing that it is one of the most important duties of EMU, Prof. Dr. Aykut Hodja stated that EMU supports all kinds of activities in social, cultural, sports and other fields, especially in Famagusta and generally in the TRNC, beyond just training and seminars.
Emphasizing that they want to feel more support of the state in this sense, Prof. Dr. Aykut Hodja, in recent years noting that only less than 1% of the EMU budget is covered by the state. He noted that EMU restricts its activities as a state university.
Expressing their desire to contribute to the EMU budget to higher levels as in the past, Prof. Dr. Aykut Hodja pointed out the importance of this in terms of increasing added value.
Stating that there were some problems in transportation of students at the beginning of the academic period, Prof. Dr. Hodja, expressed that they believe Minister Arıklı will continue to increase the support he has given to EMU so far.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı also states that he is a Famagusta deputy, and therefore the life-blood of Famagusta. He stated that it is his duty to follow up on the problems of EMU.
Both as a member of parliament and as a minister, noting that if EMU is in trouble, Famagusta and therefore the country will be in trouble. Minister Arıklı said that EMU is the flagship of TRNC higher education.
Underlining that EMU is an institution that sets an example for other universities and has almost become an idol brand, Minister Arıklı said that they are aware of the problems experienced at the university and that the budget in particular. He stated that it created serious problems for EMU.
Minister Arıklı stated that most of the students who come to EMU are scholarship students. Considering that he has contributed very little to EMU, but especially to Famagusta and the TRNC, he has made great contributions.
He also stated that they need to make a very good contribution to EMU in terms of budget in order to maintain the competitive environment.
Stating that EMU competes not only with the universities in the TRNC but also with foundation universities in Turkey and universities in the Balkan countries, Minister Arıklı pointed out that opportunities should be created in order to bring students and satisfy them here.
Stating that it is the duty of not only EMU but also the state, Minister Arıklı noted that every student who graduates from here will contribute to the promotion of the country as an honorary representative of the TRNC in the country they go to.
Minister Arıklı, who stated that they will fulfill their obligations as the Ministry, and that it is their duty to solve other problems as soon as possible, said that he would like to listen to these problems in person. He stated that he visited EMU .
Stating that the most important issue is transportation, Minister Arıklı emphasized that transportation brings a burden to universities and they have to establish public transportation by taking this burden off the shoulders of universities.
Stating that there are good examples in the Republic of Turkey regarding this issue, Minister Arıklı requested that the public should follow the support given by the Municipality of Kayseri to them in this regard.
In this respect, stating that they can also request expert support from EMU, Minister Arıklı said, “We will implement the public transportation system in a very short time and we will eliminate the public transportation problem on all universities.”
Noting that these efforts have reached a certain point, Minister Arıklı stated that they aim to implement public transportation in the next year.
Minister Arıklı stated that creating the opportunity for students to travel and get to know the whole country with these public transportation vehicles is among their most important duties, and said, “I found that many students who graduated from Famagusta never went to Lefke or Güzelyurt. I am sad.
At the same time, I see that students studying at universities in Nicosia do not go to Famagusta or Iskele. Because there is no public transport. We are working hard to eliminate it. When we eliminate the transportation problem, we will make a serious contribution to our universities.”
After the speeches, Minister Arıklı answered questions from members of the press.
At the end of the visit to EMU, unique gifts were presented to Minister Arıklı by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hodja.