The Near East University Faculty of Communication, Department of Journalism, recently held its Documentary Photography Contest, recognizing the outstanding talent of high school and university students. The awards ceremony, attended by renowned documentary producer and press photographer Coşkun Aral, took place at the Near East University Grand Library on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The contest, featuring diverse themes such as cultural heritage and history, environment and human, freedom, democracy and human rights, human and animal, and space (portrait), attracted numerous entries that showcased the participants' unique perspectives on the world. The jury, comprising documentary maker and press photographer Coşkun Aral, along with academics and photographers Gazi Yüksel, Aykan Özener, and Mert Yusuf Özlük, meticulously evaluated the submissions.
In the high school category, Berke Yetişmiş from Near East College secured the Best Photography Award, while Ufuk Turpcan from Anadolu University earned the same accolade in the university category. Additionally, Zehra Çiğdem Can from Atatürk Vocational High School and Diren Darbaz from Surrey University received the Special Jury Award for their exceptional contributions.
The competition aimed not only to recognize talent but also to provide a platform for young individuals to express their worldview through the art of photography. To facilitate this, three workshops were organized for high school and university participants, covering topics such as mobile photography in Turkish and English.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayça Demet Atay, Head of the Journalism Department at Near East University, highlighted the importance of journalistic responsibility in her opening speech at the award ceremony. She emphasized the need for fairness, ethics, and a commitment to justice in the work of journalists. The university, she stated, aims to cultivate students with cultural awareness, social sensitivity, and strong analytical and observational skills.
Coşkun Aral, in his address, commended the competition for encouraging young photographers to view their surroundings with a more inquisitive and questioning eye. He expressed his hope for the contest to expand internationally in the future, praising the quality and multicultural structures of educational institutions in Northern Cyprus.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dolunay, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Communication, expressed his joy at the meaningful artistic ceremony and underscored the university's commitment to training professionals equipped with both technical expertise and artistic abilities. He thanked the jury members and contributors while congratulating all participants, finalists, and award recipients.
The Documentary Photography Contest not only celebrates the achievements of talented young photographers but also aligns with the broader goals of promoting cultural awareness, social responsibility, and artistic development, contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
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