Odiley FESTUS      

 As a student of staff constantly plagued with the daily rigors of academic work, it is very easy to leave unnoticed a lot of events that happen in the Famagusta municipality. It is an open secret that Famagusta is subject to the activities of EMU student and staff activities; without the University the town would be not as successful as it is now.

However a major shakeup took place in the University administration board. It witnessed the end of an era marked with a legacy building and the birth of another administration pregnant  no doubt  with a lot of expectations and zeal to surpass the previous administration in positive development of the mega university status of EMU.

 This was evident in the change of the Rectorship of the Eastern Mediterranean University .

The former Rector for 4 years, Prof HALİL M. GÜVEN, handed over the reins of leadership, he successfully led since 2003 to Prof Tahir Çelik on 29th November, 2007.

Here are some details about our former Rector Prof Halil Güven:

 Prof Güven was born in 1956, is married and he speaks English and Turkish fluently. He can also communicate moderately in Spanish and minimal French.

Prior to his arrival to EMU he served in the capacity as

• Rector (also Founding Rector) at the   University of Bahçeşehir , Istanbul , 1/99 – 6/2003 .

• Vice-President, International Programs, University of Bahçeşehir, Istanbul , 1/98 – 12/98

• Director of  International Development, College of Extended Studies, SDSU, San Diego , CA. 9/95 – 10/97

• Director.  Industrial Assessment Center (formerly Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Center , funded by U.S. Department of Energy), SDSU, 1/92 – 10/97 

His achievements as Rector was remarkable and are too numerous to mention but we will highlight a few ones here:

1. The establishment of the International center to effectively organize international students on campus.

2. EMU full membership into EUA was speedy due to his relentless drive with his team of administrators supporting him.

3. Increase of student population to  14000 with a wider international student reception and patronage from over 30 nationalities represented in various student associations here in EMU.

4. First official exchange students partners SAN DIEGO CONNECTICUT UNIVERSITY SDSU for student exchange program.

We can easily say that a legacy has been established and we believe our new Rector Prof Tahir Çelik is poised to take the University to greater heights.