Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) held its 2025–2026 Academic Year Orientation Days between 15–17 October at its Kyrenia Main Campus and Nicosia Bandabuliya Campus. Open to the public, the three-day program offered an unforgettable start to new ARUCAD students through a wide range of events, workshops, competitions, and DJ performances attended by students, academics, administrative staff, and guests.
The program began with a welcome speech by Rector Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi. In his address, Vehbi emphasized that despite being a young university, ARUCAD was founded on a strong vision and infrastructure:
“ARUCAD is a boutique university that provides interdisciplinary education with a focus on art, design, and communication. Most of our academics are also artists. Our students have the opportunity to take part directly in the production process with their lecturers not only in classrooms but also in studios, workshops, and laboratories.”
Vehbi highlighted that ARUCAD’s multicultural environment, composed of academics and students from 55 different countries, greatly enriches the university:
“Value this cultural mosaic, learn from one another, and make the most of the creative energy ARUCAD offers.”
Following Vehbi’s speech, presentations introducing university units were held, and new students took part in a campus tour. The first day concluded with Karaoke and performances by DJs WELFY, Akinci, Alexey, and Haktan, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere on campus.
Creativity-Filled Activities
The second day began with creative activities such as the Cat Photography Challenge, One-Minute Film: My First Day at ARUCAD, and The White Cube – Common Art Space. Throughout the day, students enjoyed combining fun and creativity through engaging workshops and games including Treasure Hunt, Pasta Towers, Mega Jenga, Design Your Own Figure, and Paper Couture Workshop.
During the Paper Couture runway show and Award Ceremony, students who excelled in competitions and workshops received their prizes. The day continued with another Karaoke session followed by DJ Tuner’s performance, filling the campus with music and dance.
Art Walk in Nicosia
The final day of the orientation program took place on Friday, 17 October, at ARUCAD’s Nicosia Bandabuliya Campus. As part of the program, the Nicosia Parade was organized by the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts academics and students. Starting from the Venetian Column and proceeding toward Bandabuliya, the parade brought together music, dance, and stage performances at various points throughout the city.
Transforming the rhythm of the city into an artistic experience, the Nicosia Parade drew great interest from the public and carried the creativity and energy of ARUCAD students into the heart of the city. Through this event, the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts greeted the Bandabuliya Campus with a vibrant artistic display. The day concluded with an Improvisation Jam Session, where students enlivened the area with rhythmic performances and spontaneous dances.
Over the course of three days, ARUCAD’s Orientation Days offered new students a collaborative and creative environment, allowing them to experience the university’s unique atmosphere centered around art, design, and communication.
