Building a Healthy and Active Campus Culture: Near East University Receives the YÖK Sports-Friendly Campus Award
Near East University has been recognized with the “Sports-Friendly Campus Award” by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) for its comprehensive approach to promoting health and well-being through sport. With state-of-the-art sports facilities, year-round activities, and initiatives that engage students, academic staff, and administrative personnel alike, the University continues to foster a sustainable culture of active living—an approach that is also reflected in its outstanding international performance in the field of Health and Well-being.
Near East University has been awarded the Sports-Friendly Campus title following a comprehensive evaluation conducted within the framework of the Sports-Friendly Campus Project implemented by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
The award was presented to the Rector of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, by the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, during a ceremony held at Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University.
During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ also shared an overview of the University’s recent international achievements and continued institutional development. With this achievement, Near East University became the first and only university in Cyprus to receive this distinction.
More than a recognition of sports infrastructure, the award acknowledges universities that successfully integrate physical activity, health promotion, accessibility, and active lifestyles into campus life through a comprehensive institutional approach.
Embedding Active Living into Campus Life
At Near East University, sport is regarded not merely as a competitive activity but as an essential component of a healthy and balanced university experience. The University’s approach encourages not only students but also academic and administrative staff to participate in regular physical activity, making active living an integral part of everyday campus life.
At the heart of this vision is the Sports Tower, a modern fitness and wellness facility designed to support healthy lifestyles across the entire campus community. Together with the Republic’s first and only Olympic indoor swimming pool, the internationally accredited RA25 Sports Hall, tennis courts, basketball and futsal courts, and a wide range of outdoor sports facilities, the University offers accessible opportunities for physical activity throughout the year. Near East University is also home to 1,651 licensed athletes across sports disciplines, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sport.
A Vibrant Year-Round Sports Culture
The University’s commitment to health and well-being extends far beyond its facilities. Throughout the year, the Department of Health, Culture and Sports organizes a wide range of sporting activities and recreational events that bring together students, academic staff and administrative personnel.
Regular tournaments in futsal, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, cricket, darts and chess, together with various mind sports competitions, encourage participation across the campus community while strengthening social interaction, teamwork and institutional belonging.
The University’s dynamic sports calendar continued throughout 2026 with events such as the Campus Run, the Interfaculty Volleyball Tournament, an International Basketball Tournament, an International Gymnastics Event, and a Jiu-Jitsu Festival, reinforcing its position as a vibrant centre for sport. Complementing these activities, initiatives such as the panel “Healthy Future in Sport: Preventive Measures and Psychological Support” and the Psychology Days programme highlighted the University’s holistic understanding of well-being by bringing together physical activity, mental health and preventive healthcare.
Contributing to the Regional Sports Ecosystem
Near East University’s contribution extends well beyond its own campus.
The University regularly hosts national and international sporting events, welcoming athletes, students and sports organizations from different countries while strengthening its role as a regional centre for sport. Several sports facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts and futsal courts, are also made available to the wider community, supporting broader public participation in physical activity. In addition, Near East University Hospital’s collaborations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus National Olympic Committee and various sports federations further reinforce the University’s contribution to athlete health and sports medicine.
A Strong Reflection of the University’s Commitment to Health and Well-being
Near East University’s comprehensive approach to health and active living is also reflected in its international achievements.
Taken together, the YÖK Sports-Friendly Campus Award and the University’s global success in Good Health and Well-being demonstrate a shared institutional vision—one that regards health, physical activity and well-being not as complementary services, but as fundamental components of university life.
A University Where Academic Excellence Meets Well-being
At Near East University, higher education is viewed as far more than academic instruction. It is a comprehensive experience that supports the physical, mental and social development of every member of the campus community.
The YÖK Sports-Friendly Campus Award stands as a national recognition of this vision. Through its modern sports infrastructure, inclusive participation opportunities, international sporting events, health-focused initiatives and sustainable campus culture, Near East University continues to demonstrate that promoting health and well-being is an integral part of excellence in higher education.
