By Heidi Trautmann

Students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, Graphic Design Department, can be proud of the work they did in the past year. It is for the fifth year that the students go public with an exhibition proving the quality of education in their department.

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Elif Songür Dag opened the event with a short introduction into the work of her department and thanked the teachers of Graphic Design Department who are herself…Assoc.Prof.Dr. Elif Songür Dağ, Prof.Dr. Vüsal Bağırov, Dr. Gürkan Gökaşan, Instr. Vildan Açan, Instr. Roya Alagheband, Instr. Omid Kalantar Motamedi. Please read the full text of her speech after my text.

The Rector of the University, Dr. Halil Nadiri, spoke to us about the development of the CIU. I have copied his introduction I found on the university’s website; please read his words after my text.

Also, the Acting Dean of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture, Prof.Dr. Nezih Ayıran, addressed the guests and the students with complimentary comments on the work of his department and its importance. Sorry, I don’t have his speech.

Graphic Design is to create a message with artistic means, a message in concentrated form, making a flood of explanations unnecessary; it is an impulse generator, it is the creator of the image of a company, of corporate identity.  Posters, book covers, illustrations, postcards in different techniques, photography, digital, collages with textile and hand-made paper, etc.

The students did research on various themes, be it in connection with political, social, economic or other contexts and developed their ideas, using techniques and colours that went with the significance of the information. A language of its own values, where different elements of art are combined to create a message.

Unfortunately the exhibition is only for a couple of days. My best wishes go with the students in their effort to continue to learn this interesting language of art and communication.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Elif Songür Dağ

Respectable Rector and Dean, Dear Colleagues, Students and Distinguished Guests, Welcome to the Graphic Design Department Student Exhibition of Cyprus International University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture. We are happy and proud opening our fifth student exhibition. So these exhibitions become a regular event each year. Every year, our students and assistants are taking more responsibility during the exhibition process. This attitude proves that how much they embraced this event. Hence, it shows that the corporate culture and belonging are emerging and we are glad. By each academic year, our Graphic Design Department is gaining power. The quality of education is rising up by our full-time and part-time tutor’s devoted contribution. Seventeen of eighty-five students are registered into our Graphic Design MFA Program. As an addition to our English Master Program with Thesis, the Turkish Master Program with Thesis is under process. Also, I’d like to give you good news, the preparations for the Doctorate Program have been taking the start. One of our department’s main aim is to educate qualified academics for TRNC academic society, as much as to educate best designers. The design is one of the raising professions in our era. Especially Graphic Design develops solutions for visual communication problems. Graphic Design is such a field that, you can work interdisciplinary with almost most of the disciplines. It is not that rather arty to tell that everyone needs design and designer. The student projects in the exhibition, curated from all stages of our program. You can see the projects related to project courses, photography, graphical communication, illustration, typography and so on. I hope, it will be clear to see how they work hard, disciplined, creative and responsively. My dear students, it is important to be a part of an exhibition with your designs. It is also a part of your education. This requires courage to exist there as a designer in front of the friends, family, and public. I congratulate you because of your courage and designs, I wish you all a continued success …..

Prof. Dr. Halil NADİRİ

It was in the year 1997 that Cyprus International University was founded, and thanks to its outstanding technical and physical infrastructure, the university has embodied the three fundamental concepts, namely learning, research and cultural blending that are identified as the indispensable characteristics of a global institution of higher learning. Our university is aiming to achieve its goal of being the leading institution of higher education in the region and contribute to the development of our country, as we know and understand the significance of our geographical location and are fully aware of the issues surrounding us. Cyprus International University offers education at internationally acclaimed standards to almost 18000 students from 106 different nations in a multicultural context.

Our educational philosophy is to train our students equipped fully with the qualifications and the ability to further develop themselves; furthermore it is our goal to ensure that our graduates are research-oriented, dynamic and ready to compete in the world of business and their own profession. Consequently, our university fosters the following values:

Openness and diversity of thought

Innovation

Critical thinking

Being aware of social responsibilities

Being entrepreneurial

Conscientious of ethical values

Environmentalist

Creative Impartial

Scientific-minded

Self-reliance

And last but not least, they will know that art and culture form the core values in life.

Academic and scientific studies at Cyprus International University have priority over all things else, and hence all the 10 faculties and 7 schools are designed in a manner to meet the demands and needs of the society. In addition to the Associate and Undergraduate Degree Programs, Masters’ and Doctoral Programs are offered by a highly qualified internationally acclaimed academic staff.

International accreditation from independent scientific accreditation bodies means a lot to our University, and having been through this process means we are offering an unsurpassed education exclusive to our students. As R & D plays a significant role in all our studies, the university has laboratories equipped with state-of-the art technological devices, a computer center and a big resource library. The CIU ARENA which is a multifunctional sports complex is an added value to all the other facilities available on campus.

The University aims to offer the most modern, and the highest quality education to its students. Each and every student that embarks on this long educational journey at our university graduates as an individual fully content and well equipped with the education he has received. Our graduates start their professional life at highly prestigious internationally recognized businesses and their employment possibilities with these institutions is an asset to CIU.

With a vision that foresees the future, and moving forward with firm steps with all the enthusiasm, vigor and vitality essential in becoming one of the most outstanding universities of the 21st century, CIU generates knowledge together with the students, faculty and administrative staff, and at the same time continues to introduce novelties in social, cultural and scientific areas.

Dear Students, by the time you reach that finish line, you will be equipped with all the knowledge necessary that will lead you safely toward your career path. Please rest assured that CIU will be with you and give you all the support that you need in this journey that will enable you to reach your career goals.

Now here you are at the threshold of the world of higher education; may your new venture lead you to wonderful opportunities.