ARUCAD Held Its 2024–2025 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony
Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) bid farewell to 80 graduates on the evening of Thursday, July 3rd, with a ceremony held at its campus in Kyrenia. As ARUCAD's fourth graduation ceremony, students from art, design, and communication disciplines received their diplomas with applause from their families and faculty members.
With its art-focused boutique university structure, ARUCAD has quickly become one of the region's respected higher education institutions. The graduation ceremony was attended by ARUCAD Founder Erbil Arkin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Asst. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin, Rector Prof. Dr. Asim Vehbi, as well as members of the academic and administrative staff and the students' families. Reflecting the spirit of a boutique university, this year's ceremony was held in a warm and intimate atmosphere exclusively with the ARUCAD Family. The open-air event in the university garden featured impactful performances by academic staff and students from the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence and the national anthem, followed by the graduates being invited on stage. Representing the graduates, Film Design and Directing student Oscar Okezie delivered a heartfelt and inspiring speech.
Oscar Okezie: "We Are the Architects of Stories"
Oscar Okezie began his speech by recalling the start of their university journey during the shadow of the pandemic: "Yet here we are; showing that stories, like hope, always rise." He emphasized that graduation is not just an ending, but the beginning of stories yet to be written: "Today we are not just graduates; we are architects of vision, carriers of untold stories."
Thanking his peers, instructors, and family members, Okezie reflected on the challenges they overcame together and the creativity they nurtured. "You who stayed up editing all night, who pushed through deadlines... you are not just classmates; you are warriors of creativity," he said. He concluded his speech by calling on graduates to embrace their next chapter with courage: "We now step into unwritten stories. May we tell them boldly and beautifully, and never stop dreaming."
A Night Where Art and Performance Met Graduation
The evening was enriched with performances from ARUCAD's faculty and students. "Dream On," a contemporary dance piece performed by faculty members Asst. Prof. Dr. Tamara McCarty, Lecturer Yıldız Güventürk, and Asst. Prof. Dr. İnal Bilsel, received enthusiastic applause. Dance students Tuğçe Tekhanlı and Simay Ekin performed "Zaha," a piece inspired by the architecture of Zaha Hadid. Ayşe Göknil's solo performance "Joy" added emotional depth to the night, while Efe Sağıroğulları’s percussion piece "Truc à trac" brought vibrant energy to the stage.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin: "Your Creativity Carries the Responsibility of Shaping the Future"
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, highlighted generational responsibility and historical memory in his speech. "As a millennial, I grew up in a time of relative peace and prosperity. That was the legacy of the baby boomer generation—a generation shaped by two world wars," he noted. Emphasizing that art was the most powerful tool of protest and transformation for that generation, he added, "Through music, film, painting, and performance, they didn’t just raise awareness; they made leaders think twice before waging war."
Turning to the graduates, he said: "You are stepping into a world shaped by geopolitical instability, environmental vulnerability, and rapid technological change. But within this challenge lies your great responsibility. Creativity is not just a talent; it is a force for cultural change. Art is not a luxury—it is a necessity. It reminds us of our shared humanity, challenges power, and offers hope. You are the ones who will carry that hope forward." Arkin concluded by saying, "Graduates of 2025, we are proud of you. We believe in you."
Erbil Arkin: "ARUCAD Is the Most Important Project of My Life and Career"
Founder Erbil Arkin expressed his deep connection to and pride in ARUCAD. "We heard such inspiring speeches tonight that they said everything I wanted to say," he noted with warmth. He shared his regret at not being able to spend more time at the university and added, "Even if I’m only here one day a year, all I want is to stand under that tree, in the shade, and watch you. You do the work—I just watch, proudly."
Calling ARUCAD not just an educational institution, but the greatest project of his life, Arkin stated, "When I look at ARUCAD today, I truly believe it is the most important project I have ever undertaken. My greatest wish is that, one day, this university will be a respected institution not only in the Eastern Mediterranean but across the world. I hope that even 100 or 150 years from now, it remains a special place." Addressing the graduates, he said: "Whether you become teachers, artists, or designers—carry the spirit of ARUCAD with you. Never compromise on quality." He concluded by thanking the families of the students, stating, "We owe this night to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Top Graduates Received Diplomas from the University Founders
Diplomas were first presented to the top students of each department by ARUCAD Founder Erbil Arkin and Chairman of the Board Asst. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin. It was also announced that these students would be offered employment opportunities within ARUCAD or the Arkin Group.
Prof. Dr. Asim Vehbi: "Being an ARUCAD Graduate Is a Privilege"
Rector Prof. Dr. Asim Vehbi reminded graduates that this ceremony marked not an end but a new beginning. "Today you’re not just receiving diplomas; you’re stepping into life equipped with the vision, confidence, and knowledge that ARUCAD has provided you," he said. Emphasizing that being an ARUCAD graduate is a privilege, Vehbi added, "You are critical thinkers, empathetic individuals, and creative minds. We are proud to graduate individuals with such a profile."
He also extended his thanks to families and the academic team: "To our dedicated faculty, thank you for not only imparting knowledge but also instilling responsibility, solidarity, and ethical values." Vehbi concluded with well wishes for the graduates' futures: "May your paths be clear and your futures bright."
Following his speech, Prof. Dr. Vehbi personally presented diplomas to graduates of the Faculty of Design’s Department of Architecture. The diploma ceremony continued with vice rectors, deans, and department heads presenting diplomas to the remaining graduates.
ARUCAD's 4th Graduation Ceremony Concluded with Joy
At the end of the ceremony, graduates returned to the stage for the traditional cap ceremony. After counting down from ten, students celebrated their academic journey with enthusiastic applause. The evening concluded with a DJ performance that brought the ARUCAD community together one last time in celebration.
