Educational cooperation between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Azerbaijan has gained significant momentum in recent years, with the TRNC continuing to establish itself as an important higher education destination for Azerbaijani students. Strengthening academic relations between the two countries, increasing student and academic staff mobility, expanding dual degree programs, and diversifying educational opportunities available to Azerbaijani youth are among the key areas of this growing cooperation.
Cavanşir Feyziyev, Chair of the Azerbaijan–TRNC Interparliamentary Friendship Group and Member of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, highlighted the TRNC’s well-developed and internationally oriented higher education system in his remarks to the Azerbaijani press, while also assessing the current state of educational relations between the two countries and their prospects for future development. Feyziyev stated that the degrees awarded to Azerbaijani students graduating from universities in the TRNC are officially recognized in Azerbaijan.
As one of the well-established higher education institutions in the TRNC, Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) stands out as an attractive educational choice for Azerbaijani students, with its diverse international student body and multicultural academic environment.
Bringing together students from numerous countries on a single campus, EMU possesses a strong academic infrastructure that can contribute to further strengthening educational ties between Azerbaijan and the TRNC in line with its vision of internationalization. The University’s multicultural environment, wide range of academic programs, and extensive international academic connections offer significant advantages to Azerbaijani students seeking to pursue higher education in the TRNC.
The growing interest among Azerbaijani youth in studying in the TRNC also presents valuable opportunities for EMU to contribute to advancing academic relations between the two countries and taking existing cooperation to a higher level.
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç expressed his satisfaction with the strengthening educational relations between Azerbaijan and the TRNC, noting that the presence of Azerbaijani students at EMU makes a significant contribution to the University’s vision of internationalization.
Emphasizing the importance EMU places on providing Azerbaijani youth with an academic environment where they can receive high-quality education in line with international standards, Prof. Dr. Kılıç highlighted that EMU is a strong international university that brings together individuals from diverse cultures and communities under the umbrella of education.
Drawing attention to the historical and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and the TRNC, Prof. Dr. Kılıç stated that these bonds can be further strengthened through cooperation in education and added, “We regard our Azerbaijani students as an important part of our University’s international and multicultural community. Increasing student and academic staff mobility and developing joint academic initiatives are among the areas we will continue to prioritize in the coming period. As EMU, we are committed to further strengthening the educational bridge between the two countries.”
Prof. Dr. Kılıç also underlined that EMU goes beyond its role as an institution providing education to students, serving as a higher education institution that contributes to building lasting connections between countries and societies. He further noted that the academic and social experiences gained by Azerbaijani students at EMU will also contribute to the future development of relations between the two countries.
In his statement, Feyziyev also drew attention to the initiatives aimed at supporting students within the framework of Azerbaijan–TRNC educational cooperation. He noted that special discounts are available and highlighted the provision of dedicated scholarship opportunities for students from the families of martyrs and veterans, as well as for students from low-income families. Feyziyev further stated that discussions on establishing dual degree programs between universities in the two countries are ongoing, adding that such academic partnerships are expected to become more widespread in the coming period.
Highlighting that educational relations between Azerbaijan and the TRNC extend beyond university education alone, Feyziyev noted that Azerbaijani physicians who receive their medical education in the TRNC continue to maintain academic and professional ties with universities in the country following graduation, engaging in knowledge and experience sharing as well as collaborative projects. He also stated that Azerbaijani students studying in the field of tourism have access not only to educational opportunities in the TRNC but also to employment prospects.
In parallel with the continued development of political, economic, cultural, and social ties between Azerbaijan and the TRNC, efforts are underway to further advance cooperation in the field of education. Within this framework, EMU, with its diverse international student community, strong academic staff, and long-established tradition of higher education, is expected to play an important role in further strengthening academic ties between the two countries.
Institutional Development & International Academic Affairs Office
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