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North Cyprus Universities
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GAU (Girne American University)
March 2008: GIRNE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SEXUALLY MOTIVATED ATTACK
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“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive.”
Sir Walter Scott, http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/sir_walter_scott/
Important- See GAU/UNVA accreditation status information here Home
GAU’s collaboration agreements.
Girne American University has made various claims on its web site to have collaboration agreements with certain United Kingdom (UK) Universities. See GAU’s web link: http://www.gau.edu.tr/default.asp then click on ‘academics’ and click ‘collaborations’, or http://www.gau.edu.tr/collaborations.asp last accessed 12.03.2006.
It would seem that such claims of UK collaborations are FALSE, with many of the institutions having never heard of GAU, or occasionally having had some correspondence about collaboration agreements which never came to anything. Huron University does have a credit transfer agreement with GAU.
ISAS has learned that the following UK universities listed as having agreements with GAU on their web site HAVE NO SUCH AGREEMENT and have requested their names be removed, without success.
 | Nottingham Trent University (UK) |
| University College London (UK) |
| London University (UK) |
ISAS has learned of previously falsely claimed collaborations with the following UK Universities who managed to get their names removed from GAU’s website:
| London School of Economics (LSE,UK) |
| University of Leicester (UK) |
ISAS will investigate the alleged other non-UK collaboration agreements but be warned- so far not impressive: - the web link to the Azerbaijan University (Baku) takes you to a ‘Yahoo! no page sign’ and the University of Lagos (Nigeria) similarly a ‘Page under Construction’ but no mention of the university itself. Oh it would be interesting to know the nature of the agreement with Bangkok University (Thailand), but unfortunately this web site is all in Thai!
Potential students must draw their own conclusions about an institution that feels the need to make false claims about connections with foreign universities to bolster its own reputation and who attempt to impress potential students with such false claims.
Such dishonest practices by a ‘university’ do not enhance its academic standing, and must bring into question the academic standards at such an institution.
The following definitions of collaboration may help GAU in the future: ‘When you work together with another person or group to achieve something, especially in science or art.’ Longman. (2003) Dictionary of Contemporary English, pp 292.
So basically, if you don’t have specific ‘written, valid or meaningful’ collaboration agreement with an institution, then don’t make false claims.
GAU (Girne American University)
(University College of North Cyprus)
Girne American University is situated in the foothills of the outstandingly beautiful Besparmak Mountain Range, just above the village of Karaoglanoglu, just below the ruins of the Crusader Castle of St Hilarion and only ten minutes away from the international holiday resort of Girne/Kyrenia.
The University is about the same size as the European University of Lefke but that is where any similarity to the campus ends. The buildings are painted in white. The buildings are on the whole well maintained and modern in appearance.
GAU is served by its own efficient bus service running from the university to Girne about every 40 minutes. This service stops at 21.00hrs in the evening, which may cause problems for some students attending evening classes who then have to resort to using taxi’s, which are not that cheap.
The university consists of several new buildings plus the original administration block, faculty blocks offering limited classroom space. The Foundation English Programme is now housed in one of these new buildings as is the new, but small university library. This boasts 25,000 books, which we assume are ‘in storage’ elsewhere, because on a recent visit to the campus there were nowhere near those numbers of books in the library (Comments from GAU: GAU states it has an e-library with access to online books and journals in the subjects it teaches. The ISAS cannot verify the content of the e-library as it requires student registration/subscription. GAU also advises ISAS it is planning to build a new library). A further building houses a canteen and other student related facilities. It is understood that other buildings have been completed whilst others are still under construction. The well equipped and comfortable sound and vision centre opened last year and is the university's show piece and first port of call to visiting dignitaries and protocol guests.
As with all universities who rely on English as the teaching medium the success or failure to a greater extent relies on the Foundation English Programme (FEP). It has been reported that the class sizes in the FEP show as many as 40 registered students, which is more than double the recognized norm for such classes (Comments from GAU: They advise from the spring Semester 2005 class sizes will be 26 pupils), we understand that class sizes remain above this level at March 2006. Coupled with a low percentage of native speakers and a high proportion of in-experienced teachers, this must be a point of concern for any foreign student who may have to take FEP courses on arrival. If you fail to learn English to an acceptable level in the FEP, it follows that you will have a difficult time understanding any faculty course that must be taught in English by law of the Turkish Higher Education Authority. The obvious exceptions being foreign language courses. A student recently reported, that not only did his teacher have difficulty in speaking English she couldn’t speak Turkish very well either. It appeared that her command of the Russian language was much better! There appears to be little available in the way of teaching aids and equipment such as Audio, Video, DVD equipment and Overhead Projection Units. If they do exist they are probably ‘in storage’ somewhere.
The university has a number of sports activities if you feel so inclined and has other ‘facilities’ such as, the Camelot Beach Resort approximately 5km west of the main campus. Quite why it is called Camelot is mystery as the fabled King Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere and co didn’t make it as far as North Cyprus even in Legend. Maybe it is something to do with that ‘Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court’ chappie, given the American connection. Camelot is a nice spot to spend the day during the summer months situated by the warm Mediterranean Sea. A few years back the place use to be an Army run restaurant and at that time served good quality and reasonably priced food. Speaking of Legend, the owners of GAU own a restaurant called Legend in the resort town of Girne. This was once the place to be seen although standards appear to have slipped a shade lately.
Looking at the picture as a whole, the infrastructure of GAU has moved on leaps and bounds to what it was a few years ago. However, these are cosmetic improvements that may have little bearing on the standards of education on offer at this establishment, we are not saying that these are good or bad but prefer to remain neutral. What we urge all students to do is make inquiries about the university by asking former students and teachers about the standards you can expect.
The university has recently appointed a young and dynamic management team which appears to have a more western orientated outlook on the future of education and it follows that now this team is in place, things should move in a positive direction. A new rector was appointed in 2004. GAU's Diplomas and Degrees are accredited by YÖK (Turkish Higher Education Authority and YODAK, North Cyprus Higher Education Authority). Individual students can check the current accreditation status of their intended course of study with both YÖK and YODAK.
We understand a number of staff have left GAU FEP and moved to METU FEP. This hemorrhage of experienced native English speakers, and experienced Cypriot teachers of English, is likely to continue given METU's commitment to providing job security, a salary commensurate with an individual's qualifications and experience, and coupled with a professional and well equipped academic environment.
THE SURROUNDING AREA.
The nearest town to the university is the international holiday destination, Girne (also know as Kyrenia). Being a tourist destination, prices here tend to be higher than elsewhere on the island, although cheaper restaurants can be found in the centre of town, away from the justly popular and famous ‘Old Harbour’.
The town itself has undergone a transformation thanks to its forward thinking Mayor and local council. Whilst work is still in progress, the town is beginning to develop into a pleasant place to be, and be seen. There are a number of Bars and disco’s in the area along with a few beaches (not very clean) in the immediate vicinity. For sandy cleaner beaches, you will have to travel further a field. The best beaches being a short car or bus journey away.
Accommodation in the area is becoming increasingly more scare, but is available if you are prepared to pay for it. You can expect to pay between $400 - $800 per month for a basic two or three bed roomed apartment. Houses will cost considerably more. Most rental agreements will be based on the UK Sterling or US Dollar rate with a few being quoted in Euros. The best and cheaper accommodation tends to get snapped up very quickly so get there early to avoid disappointment.
Available accommodation for students to rent is likely to become a serious problem, with the anticipated arrival of more students from Turkey in the 2006-2007 period. Students at GAU are competing for the available accommodation in the Girne area with students from all the other universities.
You might like to try putting an advert in the local newspapers or even on our website (that’s one of the few things that is still free) to see if an English family would be prepared to rent you a room in their house. That way you could be assured of getting English language lessons to supplement those you should be getting at university. You might even be able to negotiate a bed and board basis where you will get fed as well.
There are a number of supermarkets in the Girne area; two belonging to the Lemar group, two belonging to the Tempo group, one Astro, along with numerous smaller mini markets. There is also the Ordu Pazar Market in central Girne which is run by the Turkish Military and offers quality products at often greatly reduced prices. There are several banks and money exchanges in the town centre, many equipped with ATM and credit card facilities.
Translated from a German text document 13/3/05