Near East University’s entry into the world’s top 500 universities reflects a strategic evolution built not on short-term momentum, but on decades of institutional planning, investment, and academic confidence. This transformation has been guided by a leadership philosophy that sees the university not only as a place of education, but as a long-range ecosystem — producing science, shaping society, and expanding the limits of what can be achieved on the island.

At the center of this institutional vision stands Prof. Dr. İrfan Suat Günsel, whose approach emphasizes structural capacity, research ecosystems, and multidimensional growth. In this interview, he discusses the principles behind long-term academic positioning, the role of institutional courage in setting global targets, and the belief that rankings are a consequence — not a purpose.

Addressing the university’s trajectory from its early foundations to international recognition, Prof. Dr. Günsel reflects on strategic decision-making, societal responsibility, and cultivating a climate of scientific ambition. He also shares his perspective on how Near East University can continue to expand its intellectual presence and serve as a regional driver of science, technology, and cultural production in the decade ahead.

What does this journey—carrying Near East University into the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 Top 500—mean to you?
When I look at the journey that carried our university into the world’s top 500 universities, I see great pride and profound meaning. This achievement is the result of nearly half a century of effort. My childhood passed on this campus. I grew up with the campus. A dream that began with a few buildings at that time has now transformed into a strong institution ranked among the world’s top 500 universities. This process represents a dream coming true for me. Because even in the earliest days of our university’s establishment, our Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel always voiced this goal loudly.

How does the university’s position in world rankings feature in your institutional vision?

For us, world rankings are not so much a goal as they are indicators showing that we are on the right path. In our institutional vision, Near East University is positioned as a university that leads science and society on a global scale. Being in the top 500 is a natural outcome of this vision. Our main goal is to make this position permanent and become a global point of reference.

What were your most critical decisions on the road to this achievement?
Our most critical decision was to approach the university not merely as an educational institution, but as a multidimensional ecosystem. We brought together health, technology, art, and research within the same structure. We aimed to accomplish whatever was once said “cannot be done on this island.” Thinking long-term and focusing not on saving the day, but on building the future, constituted the core decisions behind this success.

As a leader, what elements motivate you the most?
What motivates me most is the sense of confidence I see in young people’s eyes. Showing that they can dream, produce, and compete with the world on a small island is my greatest motivation. Moreover, the fact that Near East University has become a structure that increases the self-confidence of the Turkish Cypriot community gives me both a great responsibility and a powerful source of energy.

How would you define your personal philosophy in the fields of education and science?
I do not view education merely as the transmission of knowledge. Education must enable individuals to trust themselves, question the world, and produce with courage. Science, on the other hand, knows no boundaries. As our Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel said, universities are the looms on which societies weave themselves. On this loom, we weave not only knowledge but confidence and existence.

How did the university’s research infrastructure and broad ecosystem—from museums to technology centers—make the current global success possible?
The most important feature that distinguishes Near East University is establishing an ecosystem that blends education with every field of life. Research centers, advanced technology laboratories, university hospitals, museums, and artistic spaces are parts of a whole. This multidimensional structure nourishes academic production and creates a strong identity that sets Near East University apart among global universities.

How do you evaluate the university’s role in the vision of transforming Northern Cyprus into a center of science, art, and technology?
Near East University is the driving force of this vision. From medicine to artificial intelligence, from art to engineering, the steps we have taken turn Cyprus into a regional hub. Our university is not only an educational provider but assumes a locomotive role that produces science, culture, and technology.

How do you imagine Near East University in the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years, we will continue to work toward making Near East University a model university worldwide—not only in rankings but also through its societal and scientific impact. With its research power, technological production, and influence in culture and the arts, we aim to further strengthen this structure that has a say on a global scale.