The protocol prepared within the scope of efforts to ensure the financial sustainability of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) has been signed on Thursday, 4 April 2024 at 04:30 p.m. at EMU Senate Hall, witnessed by the Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Dr. Ünal Üstel.
Present during the signing ceremony were; TRNC Prime Minister Dr. Ünal Üstel, TRNC Minister of Finance Dr. Özdemir Berova, TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, TRNC Minister of Labour and Social Security Sadık Gardiyanoğlu, Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry Hüseyin Cahitoğlu, EMU Board of Trustees (VYK) President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Private Secretary of TRNC Minister of Finance Kamil Ağcabay, VYK Members, Vice Rectors, Deans, Chairs and members of DAU-SEN, DAU PER-SEN, DAU BIR-SEN unions, academic and administrative personnel.
The said protocol was signed by Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, EMU VYK President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Chair of the EMU Academic Personnel Union DAU-SEN Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ercan Hoşkara, Chair of the EMU Personnel Union DAU PER-SEN Erdal Altun and Co-Chair of the EMU Unity and Solidarity Union DAU BIR-SEN Buğu Sümen Cohar.
“We are members of EMU, We will Re-Achieve and Continue Our Path”
During the speeches preceding the protocol signing ceremony, DAU BIR-SEN Co-Chair Cohar expressed warm welcomes to everyone and stated their great pride in the upcoming signing of the protocol. Cohar conveyed that it was the first time in the history of EMU that all stakeholders of the university had come together. Cohar emphasized that the university’s growing financial crisis would be overcome with the protocol prepared with the support of the government and the collective labor agreement.
Expressing that the three unions have been putting their efforts to overcome the financial struggles of the university with the support of the government, DAU PER-SEN’s Chair Erdal Altun thanked everyone who participated in the preparation process of the said protocol. Noting that EMU personnel always makes self-sacrifice, Altun stated his belief that these struggles are to be resolved in the shortest time. Altun said; “We are members of EMU, we will re-achieve and continue our path”.
Also speaking at the signing ceremony, DAU-SEN Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ercan Hoşkara remarked that today, with the protocol, a new hope would emerge, noting that at this point, both the unions and the government had reached a consensus to sign. Expressing gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoşkara emphasized the need to uphold the most valuable institutions of society for societal existence. Underscoring the importance of seeking quality over quantity in higher education and emphasizing the need to avoid repeating past mistakes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoşkara conveyed that a significant step had been taken to solve problems.
“EMU Personnel Members Owned Their Institution, Looking into the Future with Greater Confidence”
In his speech, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç expressed his wish for the protocol, prepared jointly with the government and containing rational gains, to be beneficial to everyone. Prof. Dr. Kılıç emphasized that EMU, with its national and international achievements, serves as a reference and quality point in higher education in the TRNC, highlighting that EMU, as the flagship of higher education, is a university that empowers the country. Prof. Dr. Kılıç conveyed that with the signed protocol, the university will achieve a sustainable structure, addressing the difficulties faced. EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Kılıç underlined that the protocol is a consensus agreement and has been prepared with great effort and goodwill to reach a solution. Noting that today is a historical day and a turning point for EMU, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stressed that EMU employees who set aside personal interests, have taken a significant step towards safeguarding their institution, and are looking into the future with greater confidence. Prof. Dr. Kılıç expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to bringing the process to this point, highlighting EMU’s exceptional place in the hearts of the community. Prof. Dr. Kılıç used the expression, “EMU will be stronger with you”.
“We will continue moving forward with Firm Steps, Stronger than Ever”
Expressing that EMU is the locomotive of the higher education in TRNC, EMU VYK President Dr. Erdal Özcenk stated his contentment on attending the protocol signing ceremony, which will pull EMU through the financial difficulties it faces and carry it into the future with hope. Noting EMU’s status as a university that has achieved many firsts in the country and has overcome all challenges to date, Dr. Özcenk conveyed his gratitude to those involved in preparing the protocol for EMU to achieve a sustainable financial structure. Dr. Özcenk expressed his wishes for the protocol to be beneficial and stated that together, they will continue moving forward with firm steps, stronger than always.
“We have never given up on EMU. We will not give up”
TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğl emphasized the intense efforts that have been made up to this day, stating that the protocol prepared today and the mutual sacrifices made will enable the sustainable resolution of the accumulated financial problems over the years. Çavuşoğlu, stating “A TRNC without EMU is never conceivable”, spoke of the love and respect for EMU, emphasizing that EMU will coexist with the TRNC simultaneously. Highlighting the importance of the measures taken in the Protocol and Collective Labor Agreement, Çavuşoğlu stated that they aim to converge at an EMU where quality education and performance in reaching the world are maximized. Çavuşoğlu continued his remarks as follows: “Together, we will raise EMU. Strength arises from unity. We believed we are saving it. We believed we are broadening the path. We have never given up on EMU. We will not give up. We are all members of EMU. May our protocol be auspicious”.
“EMU is Inestimable”
Addressing the participants, Prime Minister Dr. Ünal Üstel acknowledged that today’s progress has been achieved through sacrifices made for the future of EMU, expressing gratitude to those involved. Dr. Üstel noted that the TRNC is an island of tourism and education, stating that EMU, as a pioneer in education on the island, is a favorite and highly esteemed institution of the TRNC.
Üstel highlighted the government’s commitment to preserve EMU at any cost, stating that everyone must make sacrifices and, radical measures must be taken to ensure the institution’s perpetual existence. Emphasizing that the status presented to the government today is not a something to take lightly, Üstel emphasized, “But this situation does not reflect the value of EMU and that EMU is inestimable”.
Prof. Dr. Kılıç presented silver plates to TRNC Prime Minister Dr. Ünal Üstel, Minister of Finance Dr. Özdemir Berova, Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, and Minister of Labor and Social Security Sadık Gardiyanoğlu, thanking them for their support for the protocol prepared for the sustainable financial structure of EMU.
Collective Labor Agreements Signed
Following the protocol being signed, Academic Personnel Union DAU-SEN and Administrative Personnel Union DAU PER-SEN Collective Labor Agreements were signed as a result of the efforts carried out between EMU VYK and EMU Rector’s Office.
DAU-SEN collective labor agreement was signed by EMU VYK President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and DAU-SEN Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ercan Hoşkara, witnessed by EMU VYK Member Ersun Kutup, EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Osman Karatepe and, Mathematics and Science Education Department Chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamit Caner.
On the other hand, DAU PER-SEN collective labor agreement was signed by EMU VYK President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and EMU PER-SEN Chair Erdal Altun.