Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD) presented diplomas to its 2022-2023 academic year graduates at a ceremony held in the University’s Conference Hall on Wednesday evening, July 12. During the ceremony, the University’s Founder Erbil Arkin also received his diploma as a graduate of the Master of Arts programme.
Established in 2017 as Cyprus’ and the region’s sole university focused on art, design, and communication, ARUCAD celebrated the graduation of its 17 students who successfully completed the 2022-2023 Academic Year with a ceremony held in the Conference Hall on Wednesday evening, July 12. The diplomas were presented to the students by the University’s Founder, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Board of Trustees Members, and Rector. The University’s Founder, Erbil Arkin, received his diploma as a graduate of the Master of Arts programme from the University’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin. This was a historic moment as Sinan Arkin, who is a faculty member and Chairman of the ARUCAD Board of Trustees, presented his father, Erbil Arkin, the Founder of the University, with his diploma.
ARUCAD’s Plastic Arts, Photography, Architecture, Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, New Media and Communication, Visual Communication Design Departments, and Master of Arts students graduated at the ceremony. ARUCAD Founder Erbil Arkin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin, Rector Prof. Dr. Asim Vehbi, Mayor of Girne, Murat Şenkul, Members of the Board of Trustees, Faculty Members, graduates, and parents attended the ceremony. The ceremony was live streamed on the University’s social media accounts.
GRADUATE KUNDAI MHARADZE: “ARUCAD TEACHES YOU TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND THINK CREATIVELY OUTSIDE THE BOX”
Kundai Mharadze, a graduate of the Plastic Arts Department, delivered the first speech at the ceremony and stated that this ceremony was an appreciation of their learning experiences up to this day. Mharadze said, “Enrolling in ARUCAD was the best decision of my life. Looking back, I felt like a 3-year-old child who was learning to hold a pen and draw for the first time! ARUCAD teaches you to step out of your comfort zone and think creatively outside the box.”
PROF. DR. ASIM VEHBI: “SUCCESS COMES THROUGH WORKING WITH SINCERITY, LEARNINGCONTINUOUSLY, AND PROGRESSING WITHOUT COMPROMISING YOUR VALUES”
Rector Prof. Dr. Asim Vehbi, in his welcoming speech, emphasised that graduation ceremonies are significant events celebrating the completion of a phase in academic life and new beginnings. Vehbi told the graduates, “You have infinite potential to fulfil your dreams. Each one of you has different talents, interests, and goals. Discovering the potential within you, following your passions, and working diligently will lead you to your desired goals. Success comes through working sincerely, learning continuously, and progressing without compromising your values.”
ASSOC. PROF. DR. SINAN ARKIN: “ART IS THE MAIN DRIVING FORCE OF CULTURAL CHANGE”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan Arkin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, expressed his gratitude to all the graduates for believing in the vision ARUCAD presented during its establishment and deciding to spend several years of their lives here at such an early stage of its existence. Arkin added, “Art is the main driving force of cultural change. It enables a society to adapt to new conditions in the world and plays a more significant role in triggering this change than other factors. We are going through a period of rapid change and uncertainty that we could not have foreseen maybe 5-10 years ago. We have gone through a devastating pandemic, and there are economic hardships and civil unrest everywhere. History shows us how important art is in such times, as it initiates important discussion and debate and has the power to change narratives. Therefore, regardless of your field, whether it be film, dance, painting, photography, sculpture, architecture, music, – embrace your profession because it will be one of the most sought after requirements in the coming years.”
Sinan Arkin emphasised the special significance of this graduation ceremony, as the University’s Founder, Erbil Arkin, would also receive his diploma as a graduate of the Master of Arts programme. He said, “I will soon present the master’s degree diploma to my father, and it will be a very precious moment for me. How many people in the world have the opportunity to present a university diploma to their fathers? I am sure there are very few, and that’s why I feel privileged.”
Sinan Arkin congratulated his father, Erbil Arkin, for his achievement, saying, “Thank you for making all this possible for all of us. I love you, and I am proud of you.”
ERBIL ARKIN: “DEVELOP YOURSELVES, SURPRISE YOURSELVES AND SHOW RESPECT TO EVERYONE”
Erbil Arkin, the Founder of ARUCAD and a graduate of the Master of Arts programme, began his speech by thanking the ARUCAD staff and especially the academics who contributed to his graduation while he was pursuing his master’s degree. He mentioned that, at times, he found it more challenging to do this than managing a company of 3,000 employees. Erbil Arkin explained why he pursued a master’s degree as follows: “First and foremost, I wanted to see how the university I founded functions from the ground floor. It was a beautiful experience. I wanted to make sculptures. I still have the passion of a student from the 70s within me. It was always on my to-do list. When I graduated from De Montfort University’s Industrial Design Department in 1973, I couldn’t continue my master’s degree. It had always been a regret for me. This was an opportunity for me to move forward. Almost 50 years later, I graduated again. Another reason was that I needed money at that time. I was living on scholarships, and I needed to work. That’s why I couldn’t even attend my own graduation ceremony. I regretted it a few years later. So now I’m putting it right by coming to my graduation here.”
Erbil Arkin expressed his pride in everyone at the University and conveyed the following message to the students: “Always follow your dreams, never give up, always go forward, surprise yourselves and respect everybody else. I am so proud of you people and so proud to be here.”
ARUCAD 2022-2023 GRADUATES RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS
At the end of the ceremony, the 2022-2023 Academic Year Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree graduates of ARUCAD received their diplomas and celebrated their graduation with the traditional cap-throwing ceremony in the University garden. They commemorated their graduation together with the entire ARUCAD family at a gala night held at the Colony Hotel.