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[Introduction to North Cyprus] North Cyprus Universities [Complaints and Feedback page] |
EMU (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY.) Update 2006 The first, the biggest (for now), but sadly no longer the best university in North Cyprus. This year has been a year of discontent at EMU with strikes by teaching staff, disputes between the Rector, management and teaching staff, financial crisis, and students writing to the local papers complaining of the lack of, and retention of English native speaking academics in the English Language Department. Academic standards appear to be on the decline and the buildings and infrastructure appear tired and in urgent need of modernisation. Without urgent improvements, EMU will struggle to compete with the recently opened ultra modern campus of the Middle East Technical University, North Cyprus Campus. EMU (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY.) The first, the biggest, and the best of the universities in North Cyprus? Yes and yes! Its campus certainly covers the greatest area, almost being a small town in itself. It has a good reputation for this part of the world and has the feel of what a university should be about. The facilities are good and the library excellent. The buildings are bright and well maintained and the grounds immaculate. Accommodation does not seem to be a problem on or off campus, and is of an acceptable to high standard. An average apartment in Gazimagusa is likely to be cheaper than Lefkosa and Girne. The English Preparatory School, the weakest link in other universities, is not so at Eastern Mediterranean University. All EPS classrooms are large, well equipped and the ratio of native speakers is better than most, although this is deteriorating rapidly each academic year. Each classroom has its own audio/visual cabinet housing a VCR/TV, overhead Projector and a professional audio cassette machine. There are actually two EPS buildings called North and South, i.e. one being north of the Gazimagusa-Lefkosa road and the other to the south. Both buildings have their own well equipped Student Study Centers. Computer equipment is more or less up to date and adequate in quantity. All tests and testing is done by its own ‘in-house’ testing office, and most exams are electronically marked (optically). Students are on the whole well behaved and most give the impression at least of being capable of learning and studying in a second language, if not entirely willing. This is truly an international campus and does not appear to suffer from any serious racial intolerance. EMU does suffer from it fair share of political meddling. Many people that we have spoken to have said that teachers are appointed primarily on the basis of what political party they support. There has been a dramatic change in the political situation recently. The right wing UBP party, which was either ‘in or sharing power’ for a number of years, is currently out of favor with the voters, and has been replaced by a centre right/ left wing DP/CTP coalition led by socialist Mehmet Ali Talat. There are now a number of otherwise good teachers wandering round without work solely because they wore the wrong colour scarf! This is also true of the other part government run university the European University of Lefke, although that is where any similarity ends! Political posturing is not quite so noticeable in the private universities of GAU, NEU, and CIU, nonetheless it does still exist. The Rector at EMU, Prof. Dr Halil Guven is one of a new breed. Well traveled, he has published many articles during his academic life. Dr Guven has promised to bring a democratic campus into being at EMU, which hasn’t necessarily gone down well with a few members of faculty, but the majority that we have spoken to and in particularly the foreign teachers, are behind the Rector 100%. The sports facilities are quite excellent, but if you are keen on swimming you will have to content yourself with that big swimming pool called the Mediterranean Sea, just a short bus drive away, or the excellent indoor Olympic pool at Near East University, about 30 minutes away by bus or car. There are a number of good cafes and restaurants on the campus offering good food at reasonable prices. There is one exceptionally good restaurant housed in the tourism faculty. They appear to try to keep this a secret, but those that have enjoyed a meal there are only too eager to share their experiences with others less fortunate! If this university has any serious fault then we haven’t heard of them and if we do we will let you know. What we have in Eastern Mediterranean University is a well equipped and professionally staffed establishment and most importantly, an effective English Preparatory School where they actually speak and teach in English. A novelty that we hope may catch on elsewhere on the island! Add to this a new and dynamic rector and a happy atmosphere; if you have decided on Northern Cyprus, you would be wise to give this university very careful consideration. The Surrounding Area. Gazimagusa or Famagusta, resembled a bomb sight up until quite recently but not anymore thanks to the effort of its local council and the profits generated for the town by EMU. G’Magusa is actually a very nice place to live and work. The town centre is clean and tidy with shops to cater for most of your immediate needs. An added bonus is that the town is partially pedestrianised from 9am-5pm. There are a number of café’s and restaurants most being quite good but none exceptional, and don’t forget that the campus has a number of eateries that are also very good value. Beaches in the area are among the best that North Cyprus has to offer. Traveling North from G'Magusa heading towards Dipkarpaz and beyond, it is still possible to find a beach all to yourself. Sadly, the area is slowly succumbing to ugly concrete structures but these have not yet spoilt the Karpaz peninsular or G’Magusa itself. Historical sites in the immediate and surrounding areas abound with the spectacular Salamis Ruins a must visit destination. The beach just below the ruins is a nice spot to spend a few hours. Also worth a visit is the small fishing village of Bogaz and incidentally, there is accommodation to be had in this village for the student that wants to get away from campus after studies. Transportation in the area is no better than adequate but probably not much worse than elsewhere on the island. Translated from a German text document 15/.03/05 |
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