Near East University has launched a new tradition with the inaugural Sustainability Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions made in 2023 toward advancing sustainability in research, education, social responsibility, innovation, and cultural heritage. Designed to celebrate individuals and projects that actively contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the awards aim to promote a culture of sustainability on campus and beyond.

This inaugural edition of the awards signifies a new chapter in the university’s sustainability vision. By highlighting a wide range of contributions, including academic research, community outreach, and educational innovation, the university seeks to embed sustainability as a core value across all disciplines. The awards are set to become a lasting tradition, continuously encouraging the Near East University community to create innovative, inclusive, and effective solutions addressing both global and local sustainability challenges.

As part of this initiative, Near East University introduced a diverse set of award categories designed to reflect the multifaceted nature of sustainability. These include the Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Literature Award for advancing sustainability-focused academic research, the Social Sustainability and Equality Award for promoting inclusion and social justice, the Collaboration and Partnership Award for impactful sustainability partnerships, the Innovation and Solution-Oriented Approach Award for developing creative and practical solutions, the Sustainability in Education Award for integrating sustainability into teaching, the Environmental Sustainability Award for protecting nature and raising ecological awareness, the Lifelong Learning and Educational Access Award for expanding access to education at all ages, and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Award for sustaining and sharing cultural heritage.

Awards Have Found Winners in Multiple Sustainability Categories

The Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Literature Award was granted to Mümtaz Ali, from the Department of Banking and Finance, for his academic publication that links directly to at least three SDGs and carries a high field-weighted citation impact. The work exemplifies multidisciplinary thinking and systemic analysis, encouraging integrated approaches to complex sustainability issues.

The Social Sustainability and Equality Award recognized the impactful work of Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay from the Center for Social Research and Development. Through their “Psychosocial Support Project,” they coordinated structured group activities led by volunteer psychologists and counselors in public schools, assisting children affected by the February 6 earthquakes. The initiative strengthened emotional resilience and social reintegration, offering a model for trauma-informed, community-based recovery.

The Collaboration and Partnership Award was awarded to Dr. Ferdiye Taner of the DESAM Research Institute for leading a joint bacteriophage project with La Trobe University in Australia. The project targets antibiotic-resistant bacteria, providing an innovative and natural therapeutic solution to a global public health threat. This collaboration illustrates the power of international scientific partnerships in developing sustainable medical interventions.

The Innovation and Solution-Oriented Approach Award went to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cenk Serhan Özverel, Director of the DESAM Research Institute, for developing rapid PCR diagnostic kits to detect dangerous viral threats such as West Nile Virus and Monkeypox. These kits are designed to deliver fast and reliable results, contributing to global health security and demonstrating how academic innovation can address urgent medical and environmental risks.

The Sustainability in Education Award was earned by Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatma Türüç Seraj from the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences. Her course, Gender Economics, examines the interaction between gender identity and economic systems, using both traditional and alternative theories. The course enables students to critically explore gender-based inequality and sustainability, promoting inclusive, analytical, and interdisciplinary learning.

The Environmental Sustainability Award was presented to Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gökçekuş, head of the ENÇESU Research Center. His efforts included organizing a hybrid simulation workshop analyzing climate change scenarios using the En-ROADS model, and hosting an international conference on water and environmental sustainability with participation from over 20 countries. These initiatives raised awareness about environmental risks and promoted cross-national academic collaboration for ecosystem resilience.

The Lifelong Learning and Educational Access Award recognized Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır from the Department of Turkish Language Teaching for a literacy program designed for mothers of children in foster care. Conducted in partnership with the Cyprus Turkish Child Protection Institution, the six-month training enabled 15 women to become literate and actively support their children’s education—enhancing social participation and intergenerational empowerment.

The Cultural Heritage Preservation Award was granted to Prof. Dr. Nesrin Menemenci Bahçelerli from the Faculty of Tourism for coordinating a cultural food event that showcased traditional cuisines and culinary storytelling. By promoting student engagement with their own cultural roots and encouraging intergenerational knowledge transfer, the event contributed to the preservation of intangible heritage through experiential education.

Another Cultural Heritage Preservation Award was presented to the Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts, directed by Görkem Bulunç, in recognition of its curatorial efforts to document and share both local and global cultural heritage. Through exhibitions such as its international collections and ceramic works inspired by ancient Cypriot artifacts, the museum plays an important role in preserving cultural narratives within a contemporary artistic framework.

Full List of 2025 Near East University Sustainability Award Winners:

• Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Literature Award: Mümtaz Ali
• Social Sustainability and Equality Award: Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay & Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay
• Collaboration and Partnership Award: Dr. Ferdiye Taner
• Innovation and Solution-Oriented Approach Award: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cenk Serhan Özverel
• Sustainability in Education Award: Assist. Prof. Dr. Fatma Türüç Seraj
• Environmental Sustainability Award: Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gökçekuş
• Lifelong Learning and Educational Access Award: Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut & Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır
• Cultural Heritage Preservation Award: Prof. Dr. Nesrin Menemenci Bahçelerli
• Cultural Heritage Preservation Award: Görkem Bulunç (Cyprus Museum of Modern Arts)