CIU Holds 2025–2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony

The official opening ceremony of the 2025–2026 Academic Year at Cyprus International University (CIU) was held with the participation of Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker, President of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA). The event began with a one-minute moment of silence followed by the Turkish National Anthem. CIU Rector Prof. Dr. Erbuğ Çelebi then delivered the opening speech in both English and Turkish.

Çelebi expressed his pride in hosting Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker at CIU. Stating that the new academic year has begun with hope, excitement, and a sense of responsibility, he said, “Universities are not only institutions that provide knowledge and skills, but also places where conscience, ethics, and human values are cultivated. Our aim is not merely to equip our students with a profession, but to instill ethical awareness, a sense of conscience, and responsibility. Because knowledge gains meaning only when it is combined with conscience.”

As the speaker of the 2025–2026 Academic Year Opening Ceremony and First Lecture, TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker discussed the history of TÜBA, its ongoing activities, and the future of the academy.

Emphasizing that being an academic represents a life of dedication, Şeker also underlined the importance of an academic’s ability to touch and positively influence people’s lives. Referring to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, he stated, “The private sector and educators have been late in recognizing artificial intelligence, which has a history of approximately 15–25 years.” He added, “Universities will not suffer, as long as they move forward with the right strategies. Professions will not disappear, as long as competent experts are trained in their fields.” Şeker emphasized that with the advancement of artificial intelligence, field-specific expertise will become increasingly crucial.