Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel

Born in 1952 in the village of Paphos in Cyprus, Dr. Suat Günsel went on to graduated from the Physics Department of the Middle East Technical University and received his PHD degree in Educational Psychology.

In 1978 he established the first study centre in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In 1988 Dr. Suat Günsel went on to establish the Near East University which has become the primary porthole for TRNC to the education community of the World with its Pre, Primary, and Secondary Schools along with a University which boasts 16 Faculties and 4 Institutes.

Dr. Suat Günsel appeared in the World renowned “Forbes” magazine as the first Turkish Cypriot to be named in the World’s Rich List.

In March 2010 Dr. Suat Günsel was rewarded with the “Outstanding Success” award by the TRNC Parliament because of the large scale investments he had made in education and health in the TRNC.

In April 2010, Dr. Suat Günsel was awarded an Honorary PhD in Medicine due of the contribution he made to the Azerbaijan State University of Medicine and the world class Near East University Hospital he established, he also was given a Honorary PhD in Educational Sciences for the contribution he made in education in Azerbaijan University.

Dr. Suat Günsel was awarded with the “Golden Plaque of Honour” by the Islam, History, Art and Culture Centre for his contributions to the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

In October 2010, Dr. Suat Günsel was awarded with the “TÜRKSOY Golden Medal of Honour” for his contribution to Turkish Culture and Education, this was awarded by the Permanent Council meeting of Ministers of Culture (of the TÜRKSOY Member Countries) at the International Organization of Turkish Culture.

On the 3rd of November 2010, Dr. Suat Günsel was conferred upon the title of “Roving Ambassador” by the joint decision of the TRNC President Dr. Derviş Eroğlu and the Council of Ministers.

On the 5th of July 2011, Dr. Suat Günsel was awarded with “Friendship Order”, the highest order of the state given to foreigners, by His Excellency İlham Aliyev the President of Azerbaijan, for his outstanding contribution in developing the relations between the TRNC and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and for his contribution to the Azerbaijan Diaspora.

Dr. Suat Günsel, the Founding Rector of Near East University, currently serves as President of the Board of Directors. Dr Günsel is married and father of three children.