15 Turkish Artists paintings, 40 pieces especially made for the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, has been opened by the Minister of Health Dr. Filiz Besim.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the exhibition is held at the Near East University Hospital exhibition hall and Representative from the Nicosia Turkish Embassy, Minister of Health Dr. Filiz Besim, Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, Vice Rectors, Deans, Academicians, the Turkish Artists whose paintings are exhibited, and guests attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. It was expressed that the Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, Turkish Artist Prof. Dr. Zafer Gençaydın, Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Dokak and Minister of Health Filiz Besim each made a speech in honour of the day.

Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan: “With this exhibition, we are being fulfilled spiritually…”
Making an opening speech, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan, expressed that everything was realised due to the support and opportunities provided by the Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel. He added that they were highly honoured to be with the Turkish artists and that their valuable work fulfilled them spiritually. Furthermore, he referred to reflections regarding the dynamics and developments of the history of art on artists.

In addition to the above, Prof. Dr. Hassan expressed that since 1960, there have been many changes, new approaches and new aesthetics triggering plastic dynamics. As for 1970s, an acceleration in artistic and cultural activities can be observed and moving further to 1980s, coerciveness can be seen. Later, he referred to the millennium which has significance for both the Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot artists.

Prof. Dr. Zafer Gençaydın: "Art at Near East University is as significant as the foundation of the university…"
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Zafer Gençaydın expressed that it was the third time he was coming to the Near East University and added that he was rather pleased to have come across the story on the foundation of the university and the founder of the university himself. He further stated that the integration of the mind with emotions was very important; pointing that a university not only needed to be the centre of science and education but also it needed to be the core of emotions and culture. Such that, aesthetic environmental organisation, statues, and locations are significant factors contributing to an individual as a whole. He emphasised that a pretty environment meant that the life lived there is also nice and stressed that in this regard, those at Near East University were lucky.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Zafer Gençaydın stated that making investment in art was at least as important as making investment in industry, and thus expressed great gratitude to Founding Rector of Near East University Dr. Suat Günsel and his team for their hospitability and making such significant investments in art.

Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Dokak: " The Condition of Being a Respectable University can be attained through owning a museum…"
On the other hand, in his speech Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Dokak stated that he was honoured to be part of those who contributed to the Near East University Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts. He also stated that in order to be a well-respected university, there was a need to own a museum.

Prof. Dr. Dokak also stated that once we compared 100 universities, it could be seen that all of these universities have museums, such as an Art Museum, History Museum, Nature Museum and museums alike. He also stated that universities were required to be not only sources where science is produced, but also be places which have the responsibility to pass on the accumulated knowledge to future generations via museums. In this regard, he congratulated the Near East University, emphasising that Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts was founded on strong foundations.

Minister Dr. Filiz Besim: Near East University has no boundaries nor limitations, therefore I would like to congratulate the Near East University authorities for making such efforts to make significant realisations…"
Making a speech, Minister of Health, Dr. Filiz Besim, Near East University did not know any limits on science and art, opening doors to people, including people of science and students, form all around the world to get together at the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. She added that by doing this, Near East University was revealing to the world that science was made in the north of Cyprus and that people were educated prior to picking up their professions.

Dr. Besim also expressed that for years and years, she had dreamed of having a contemporary art museum in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and therefore, highly valued the efforts of Near East University to establish a museum, proving to the world that Near East University not only provides quality education but also contributes to art.

In addition to the above, Minister of Health Dr. Filiz Besim stressed that Near East University acted as a medium of communication with the world, and also made a significant contribution by offering an opportunity to pass accumulations of art to future generations. She stated that she fully supported this effort.

Life at Near East University involves science and art hand in hand…
It was pointed out that subsequent to the speeches made, Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan presented certificate of participation to the exhibition to the artists whose paintings were being exhibited at the exhibition.

While being presented his certificate of contribution, İbrahim Çiftçioğlu made a short speech and said attributed life to a bird with two wings-one being art while the other being science. In this regard, Near East University had both of these “wings”; indicating that there was life at the university. It was said that this short speech received a lot of applause.

Then, the ribbon cutting ceremony was realised and the exhibition was opened to be visited.