ARUCAD Held Its 2025–2026 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony

Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) celebrated the graduation of 150 students at its 2025–2026 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony, held at 7.00 pm on Tuesday, 7 July, at its campus in Kyrenia. At ARUCAD’s 5th Graduation Ceremony, students who had completed their studies in the fields of art, design, communication, music and performing arts received their diplomas to the applause of their families, guests and academics.

With its boutique, art- and design-focused university model, ARUCAD has quickly become one of the region’s most respected higher education institutions. The graduation ceremony was attended by the university’s Founder, Erbil Arkın; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Assist. Prof. Dr Sinan Arkın; Board of Trustees Members Mehmet Küçük and Ayşe Arkın; Rector Prof. Dr Asım Vehi; as well as members of the academic and administrative staff, graduates’ families and invited guests. Held outdoors on the university campus, the ceremony took place in a vibrant atmosphere with strong participation from students and their families.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, followed by the procession of the graduating students. On behalf of the graduating class, Yuri Pliushch, a student from the Department of Visual Communication Design, delivered the graduate speech.

Yuri Pliushch: “Do What You Have to Do and Never Give Up”
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Yuri Pliushch from the Department of Visual Communication Design reflected on how students from different countries and cultures, who had come together four years ago, were now graduating at the end of a shared journey. He described his years at ARUCAD as not only academically enriching but also personally transformative. Highlighting the value of the friendships formed and the challenges overcome together, Pliushch addressed his fellow graduates with the words: “Do what you have to do and let whatever happens, happen. But never give up; your success will be inevitable.” Quoting the world-renowned chef Marco Pierre White, who said, “Perfection is lots of little things done well,” Pliushch emphasised that success is the result of consistent effort. He concluded by thanking the academic staff, university employees, families and friends for their support.


 Prof. Dr Asım Vehbi: “ARUCAD Will Go Even Further”
In his address, ARUCAD Rector Prof. Dr Asım Vehbi described graduation not only as the end of an educational journey but also as a meaningful occasion marking the realisation of a shared vision. Emphasising that ARUCAD aims not merely to keep pace with today’s world but to understand and shape the world of tomorrow, Vehbi highlighted several significant international achievements. These included international accreditation for two programmes within the Faculty of Communication, as well as ARUCAD’s placement in the 301–400 band worldwide for the Sustainable Development Goals and in the 1001–1500 band overall in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Concluding his speech, Vehbi reminded graduates of the responsibility they now carry, saying: “Today, as we bid you farewell, we are not only presenting you with your diplomas but also entrusting you with a great responsibility. Combine your knowledge with your conscience, and your talents with the purpose of contributing to humanity. Do not simply follow change; lead it.”

Assist. Prof. Dr Sinan Arkın: “A University’s True Success Is Measured by the Success of Its Graduates”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Assist. Prof. Dr Sinan Arkın, noted that each year ARUCAD sends off more graduates and that the exhibitions, events and projects produced by its students continue to reach wider audiences, describing these as some of the clearest indicators of the university’s development. Referring to the university’s international accreditations and its inclusion in global university rankings, Arkın said: “As we approach our tenth anniversary, each of these achievements reflects the growth and maturity of our university.” Stressing that ARUCAD is a lasting institution built for future generations, he added: “A university’s true success is not measured by its size or the buildings it owns. Its real success is measured by the achievements of its graduates after they leave the university.” He encouraged graduates to engage with the world, write their own success stories and serve as ambassadors for ARUCAD.


 A Graduation Evening Where Art and Performance Came Together
Throughout the graduation ceremony, performances prepared by ARUCAD academics and students accompanied the evening’s programme. The event opened with a “Freestyle Hiphop” performance by Bekir Şimşek, Lecturer in the Department of Modern Dance within the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts.


 As part of the programme, student Mene Bekee Kenedy performed on the piano, while Modern Dance student Lea Sevilla received enthusiastic applause for her performance titled “Previously on: Maybe”. This was followed by Fatima Gökov’s performance “Blind Sight”, while Ayşe Göknil presented the dance piece “Behind the Shine”, adding a distinctive artistic interpretation to the evening. “Trace”, a collaborative free-composition performance created by Plastic Arts students Lamia Ermiş and Firuze Babat, attracted considerable interest from the audience. The evening also featured a live music performance by Assist. Prof. Dr Tayfun Bilgin.


 Diplomas Presented to Graduates
Following the speeches, the diploma presentation ceremony began. Graduates of the Graduate Education and Research Institute were the first to receive their diplomas from ARUCAD Founder Erbil Arkın. This was followed by the presentation of diplomas to the top-performing students from each department by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Assist. Prof. Dr Sinan Arkın and Rector Prof. Dr Asım Vehbi.


 The diploma ceremony then continued faculty by faculty. Graduates from the Faculties of Art, Communication and Design received their diplomas from their academics, while the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts celebrated its first-ever graduating class, marking an important milestone in ARUCAD’s history. Throughout the ceremony, families and guests applauded as graduates celebrated this significant achievement.

ARUCAD’s 5th Graduation Ceremony Concluded with Celebration
Following the presentation of diplomas, graduates were invited back onto the stage for the traditional cap-tossing ceremony. After a countdown from ten, the graduates threw their caps into the air together, sharing one of the most memorable moments of their university lives to the applause of their families, academics and friends.