At Near East University, we prioritize building collaborative partnerships with health institutions at local, national, and global levels to improve the health and well-being of our community. These collaborations encompass a range of activities, including joint research projects, knowledge sharing, community health initiatives, and professional development opportunities. Near East University maintains a formal collaboration protocol with the Ministry of Health of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to enhance national healthcare services and wellbeing outcomes. Within the scope of this protocol, Near East University Hospital and Dental Hospital provides clinical support and advanced treatment opportunities for patients referred from public hospitals. The university hospital admits patients whose conditions require specialised or technologically advanced care that may not be available in state hospitals. This collaboration ensures continuity of healthcare services, contributes to capacity building in the public health system, and strengthens coordination between higher education and public health sectors. Through this partnership, the university plays a significant role in improving access to quality healthcare and supporting the Ministry’s public health objectives across the country. In 2025, Near East University signed a cooperation protocol with the Association for Elderly Rights and Mental Health to promote the wellbeing, inclusion, and rights of elderly individuals. The collaboration, formalized by Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University, and Prof. Dr. Hatice Jenkins, Chair of the Association, was established during the “Week of Respect for the Elderly.” Under this protocol, the parties will jointly conduct initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of elderly individuals and improving their quality of life through educational programs, healthcare support, and legal guidance. The agreement also encourages scientific research focused on elderly rights and mental health, and supports projects that foster social participation and psychological wellbeing among older adults. The DESAM Research Institute remains at the forefront of promoting international and interdisciplinary collaborations in health and medical sciences. In 2024–2025, DESAM expanded its global partnerships to include projects addressing preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and women’s health, conducted jointly with national and regional health authorities. These initiatives aim to translate research into practical solutions that enhance community health outcomes. MAGI Institute (Italy) and Near East University Within the scope of the collaboration between the Near East University DESAM Research Institute and the Italian MAGI Group, education, scientific research, and joint projects are being carried out to drive new innovations in healthcare and improve health conditions. In this context, Dr. Erdal Şanlıdağ, a researcher at the Near East University DESAM Research Institute, participated in joint project work at the MAGI Group laboratories in Italy from July 2024 to September 2024. Hibrigen Biotech Company (25/11/2021- Still continuing) A partnership agreement has been signed with Hibrigen Biotechology Company located in Türkiye for the promotion, marketing and sales of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant Real Time PCR Kit, which we developed within the Near East University, in all countries outside the TRNC. In this way, countries outside the TRNC will also be able to benefit from this kit, which will guide them in pandemic conditions. Istanbul University Institute of Child Health And Near East University DESAM Research Institute Additional Protocol (09/05/2023- Still Continuing) Istanbul University Institute of Child Health and Near East University DESAM Research Institute have a protocol aiming to cooperate to carry out joint projects, conduct joint scientific research and publications, exchange graduate students and faculty members, organize joint scientific and technical trips and scientific meetings in the fields of education, science and all fields of education and training. As an outcome of the protocol, the prenatal diagnosis kit project on rare diseases is carried out jointly by the two institutes. This kit would enable the diagnosis of prenatal rare diseases in the near future. Manisa Celal Bayar University and Near East University: Development of Hepatitis D Virus Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Kit In 2025, Near East University, in collaboration with Manisa Celal Bayar University (Türkiye), successfully developed an innovative Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) Real-Time PCR Diagnostic Kit. This joint initiative, led by researchers from the DESAM Research Institute and Manisa Celal Bayar University, aims to provide an accurate and early diagnostic solution for Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) — a severe infection that can occur only in individuals infected with the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The newly developed kit addresses a critical gap in molecular diagnostics by enabling early, precise, and rapid detection of HDV, thus supporting timely treatment decisions and reducing the clinical and financial burden on healthcare systems. This collaboration demonstrates the university’s active engagement in international biomedical research, contributing to global health security and innovation in laboratory medicine. Cooperation Protocol Signed with the Turkish Cyprus Diabetes Association (14/11/2023- Still continuing) Near East University DESAM Research Institute and Turkish Cypriot Diabetes Association; signed a cooperation protocol with the aim of increasing diabetes awareness in society by conducting scientific research on diabetes. Within the scope of the protocol, training and social events will be organized for diabetic patients and their relatives. The diabetes camp, organized within the framework of a protocol signed between the Near East University DESAM Research Institute and the Cyprus Turkish Diabetes Association, was held at the Mimoza Hotel from September 2-5, 2024. The camp was successfully conducted to raise awareness about diabetes in society, providing information on nutrition, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation for diabetic patients. DESAM institute members are in collaboration with respected scientists and institutions abroad. Some of the on going international research collaboration are listed below. At Near East Hospital, our commitment to serving the community's health and well-being needs is exemplified by our extensive network of collaborations. We have established numerous partnerships with a variety of institutions, as showcased in our list of contracted institutions. SGK (Government Insurance) The healthcare services provided under the Social Security Institution of the Republic of Turkey, in hospitals with which it has agreements, are also available at Near East University Hospital. The medical departments covered by the Social Security Institution at our hospital are as follows; Unions and Charities Insurances Valid Foreign InsurancesCollaboration with the Ministry of Health to Enhance National Healthcare Services
Local Collaboration: Partnership with the Association for Elderly Rights and Mental Health
This partnership demonstrates Near East University’s commitment to addressing community health priorities and advancing social responsibility through local collaborations.Local and Global Collaborations of the DESAM Research Institute
Collaborations with Local Non-Governmental Organizations
Research Collaboration
Researcher Name
Collaborator /Network
Institution
Project
Date
Dr. Ferdiye Taner
Assoc. Prof. Steve Petrovski
Latrove University (Victoria /Australia)
Isolation of Bacteriophages Targeting Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
July 2023 / ongoing
Dr. Ferdiye Taner
Dr. Sam Manna
Murdock Children’s Research Institution (Victoria / Australia)
Streptococcus PneumoniaeCarriage in Children
2022 / Ongoing
Prof. Dr. Pınar Tülay
Magi Grup Araştırmacıları
Magi Group (Italy)
PCOS Syndrome
2022 / Ongoing
Dr. Gülten Tuncel
Dr. Gökçe Akan
Prof. Dr. Seda Vatansever
Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversity (Manisa / Turkey)
HDV Diagnosis Kit Research and Development
October 2024 (completed)
Dr. Gülten Tuncel
Dr. Gökçe Akan
Dr. Hasan Huseyin Kazan
Prof. Dr. Fatma Gülden Gökçe
İstanbul University (İstanbul / Turkey)
Oxford Nanopore-Based Sequencing Kit for Rare Inherited Metabolic Diseases
2023 / Ongoing
Prof. Dr. Dilber Uzun Özsahin
Prof. Dr. Ayşe Kalkancı
Gazi University (Ankara / Turkey)
Using Machine Learning in Analyzing Biocide and Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida auris
2022 / Ongoing
Near East University Hospital
Official Providers
Collaborations With Health Institutions