Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) and Association of Women to Support Living (KAYAD) has signed a memorandum of understanding for establishing joint education programs. EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and KAYAD Chairperson Meral Akıncı signed the said agreement during a signing session held at EMU Rector’s Office building. The signing session was also attended by EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, KAYAD Activist Att. Mine Atlı and EMU Center for Women Studies (CWS) Executive Board Chair Assist. Prof. Dr. Süheyla Üçışık Erbilen.
The signed memorandum of understanding seeks to create a foundation for cooperation in teaching, research, and community service, encompassing scientific, social, cultural, artistic, educational, and sports activities, as well as facilitating the exchange of students, staff, and knowledge.
Making an address during the signing session, KAYAD Chairperson Meral Akıncı said; “I remember the old days when I visit EMU” and, noted that her connection with the university holds a special meaning for her. Speaking about her career journey, Akıncı also expressed her gratitude to EMU, particularly for the support provided to KAYAD interns.
During her speech, Att. Mine Atlı highlighted that EMU students frequently collaborate with KAYAD on their thesis projects to carry out women’s studies. She emphasized that, thanks to the contributions of the university and its students, a valuable archive preserving societal memory in this field has been established. Atlı also mentioned two key lobbying initiatives by the association: addressing domestic violence and integrating gender equality curricula into early education. She underlined the importance of awareness campaigns and noted that EMU provides KAYAD with meaningful and sustainable support in these efforts.
Noting that EMU always puts special importance on women studies, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç continued; “Serving public is one of the key duties of our university”. Prof. Dr. Kılıç underscored the significant value of women-focused initiatives and KAYAD’s role in this field. Stressing that issues related to women’s rights must be handled with care, he described the signed protocol as “a reminder of our social duties and responsibilities”. He added, “Families entrust their children to us, and it is our responsibility to nurture them and foster awareness and understanding. This is why I regard this protocol as highly important”.
During her speech, EMU CWS Executive Board Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Üçışık Erbilen emphasized that the center, founded in 1998, is the island’s first women’s research center and one of Türkiye’s pioneering institutions. Since its establishment, it has led numerous significant academic and societal projects. Furthermore, Üçışık Erbilen noted that EMU’s initiatives in this field have raised considerable awareness in society and highlighted KAYAD’s role as a leading organization, making the collaboration both meaningful and valuable. She added that the work of EMU and its students has contributed substantially to the literature on women and gender issues in Northern Cyprus and that EMU CWS’s gender equality efforts have had a significant regional impact. At the end of the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Kılıç presented Akıncı with a special gift from EMU.
