İrfan Günsel Research Centre

İrfan GÜNSEL

Head of the Center

Prof. Dr. Özge Özden

Application form
Proposed Name of the Center: İRFAN GÜNSEL RESEARCH CENTER
Detailed rationale, mission and vision of the proposed Center The commitment of Dr. Suat Günsel’s father, İrfan Suat Günsel, the Founding Rector of Near East University, to Cyprus, its culture, and its agriculture, has set a valuable example that has inspired the Günsel family’s investments in every field to this day.
The Center aims to preserve İrfan Suat Günsel’s deep connection with the land and to carry out studies and research activities related to the preservation of the country’s and society’s cultural values and local traditions, rural life, ecological agriculture, animal husbandry, and the production of natural, local, and innovative food products
Domestic and international examples of the proposed Center to be established Wageningen University -Rural Sociology Group Wageningen University -Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group University of Exeter – Centre for Rural Policy Research
Proposed Location of the Center Cyprus Herbarium and Natural History Museum, Faculty of Pharmacy, 4th Floor, Near East University Campus, Nicosia
Existing University Departments and Programs Related to the Proposed Center - Department of Food Engineering (BSc)
- Department of Animal Science (BSc, MSc, PhD)
- Department of Landscape Architecture (BSc, MSc)
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology (PhD)
Academic Support the Center Will Provide to These Departments and Research Programs The Center will conduct scientific and applied research in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, food, and rural life with an inductive and universal approach, contributing to the service of humanity and the country. In this context, it will establish and sign cooperation protocols with international institutions.
Preparatory and Supportive Contributions of the Center to the Professions Targeted by These Programs To ensure sustainable agricultural activities in the country, the Center will contribute to the development of strategies related to agriculture and food, in addition to economic and social policies.
Contributions of the Center to the Practical Dimension of These Programs The Center will provide information and data to assist and guide decision-makers and implementers in matters related to agricultural production, food safety and quality, and rural life in the country.
How the Center’s Activities Will Differ from the Programs and Research Currently Conducted Under the umbrella of the Center, it will be easier to develop collaborations and joint projects with both national and international institutions and research centers.
Contributions of the Center to the University in Particular and to Society in General The Center aims to conduct research and produce knowledge at world standards and in line with European Union norms, thereby contributing to the EU harmonization process of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Availability of Physical Infrastructure (Buildings, Laboratories, etc.) The Center will utilize the existing offices located on the floor of the Herbarium and Natural History Museum (Faculty of Pharmacy, 4th Floor).
It will also benefit from the AGRI_VET Research Laboratory, Havva Hanım Farm, and the Innovative Food Production Center.
Existing Projects and Studies Related to the Center’s Research Fields within the University Innovative Beekeeping in Cyprus , Products of the Innovative Food Production Center , Quality Analyses of Olive and Olive Oil Products
Planned International and National Collaborations and Studied Collaboration with the Naples Plant Protection Institute (Italy) in the field of Innovative Beekeeping , Collaboration with the La Grassa Institute, Seville (Spain) in the field of Olive and Olive Oil Quality Analysis
Center Administration, Research Groups, and Executive Board HEAD OF THE CENTER:
Prof. Dr. Özge Özden

EXECUTIVE BOARD:
Prof. Dr. Özge Özden
Prof. Dr. Salih Gücel
Prof. Dr. Beyza Ulusoy
Assist. Prof. Dr. Doruk Kaynarca
Dr. Hüseyin Çelik

*Research Groups are provided in Annex 1. CVs of Executive Board Members are provided in Annex 2.
Examples of Activities and Projects Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) SDG 11 – Sustainable Communities: Development of Rural Development Projects through communication and collaboration with rural populations.
SDG 12 – Responsible Production and Consumption: Scientific studies focusing on high-quality honey, olives, and olive oil.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Implementation of international scientific research projects in caves related to climate change, as well as developing research projects on climate change and beekeeping.
RESEARCH GROUPS
1. Beekeeping Research Group Prof. Dr. Özge ÖZDEN
Prof. Dr. Salih Gücel
Prof. Dr. Fadi AL-TURJMAN
Dr. Gennaro Di Prisco (Italya)
Lecturer Mehmet KARAGÖZLÜ
2. Olive Research Group Prof. Dr. Özge ÖZDEN
Prof. Dr. Salih GÜCEL
Assistant Prof. Dr. Perihan ADUN
Assistant Prof. Dr. Şebnem GÜLER
Dr. Francisco Noé (İspanya)
Dr. Sinem YILDIRIM
Dr. Hüseyin Çelik
Lecturer Mehmet KARAGÖZLÜ
3. Innovative Foods Research Group Prof. Dr. Beyza Ulusoy
Assistant Prof. Dr. Doruk Kaynarca
Dr. Şebnem GÜLER
Dr. Fatma Kaya Yıldırım
4. Cultural Heritage and Rural Life Research Group Prof. Dr. Özge ÖZDEN Prof. Dr. Özge ÖZDEN
Prof. Dr. Salih GÜCEL
Assoc. Prof. DrBuket ASİLSOY
Dr. Sinem YILDIRIM
Dr. Hüseyin Çelik
Lecturer Mehmet KARAGÖZLÜ
5. Cyprus Livestock Research Group Prof. Dr. Selim ASLAN
Prof. Dr. Salih GÜCEL
Dr. İbrahim M. Abdourhamane
Dr. Hüseyin Çelik
Our Events

Click on it to see the event contents.

Our Projects