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Suat Günsel

Suat Irfan Günsel
Born(1952-08-03)3 August 1952
Melandra, Cyprus
Alma materMiddle East Technical University
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder and owner, Near East University
Children3

Suat İrfan Günsel (born 3 August 1952) is a Turkish Cypriot property developer, businessman[1] and founder and 100% owner of Cyprus's private Near East University. In 2011, Forbes ranked him as the second richest person in Cyprus and the 1,140th richest person in the world with a net worth of $2 billion.[2][3][4][5]

Early life

His father was İrfan Günsel, who died on 6 November 2015.[6]

He received a bachelor's degree in physics from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.[7]

Career

The majority of his wealth comes from land owned in Cyprus and Turkey.[citation needed]

Günsel built Cyprus's private Near East University (which he owns in its entirety) from 1988, funded by profits from "his property empire and other business interests".[8]

Günsel is president of Near East Bank.[7]

Personal life

Günsel, is married with three children, and lives in Nicosia, Cyprus.[2]

Honorary doctorates

Günsel has received honorary doctorates from the following universities:

Awards and prizes

Some awards and prizes given to Günsel are as follows;

  • August 2009, awarded with the "Honorary Medal of Gagauzian Land" and honoured with the "Title of Notable Person" at the II. World Gagauzians Conference by the President of Gagauzia, Mihail Formuzal.[20]
  • December 2009, honoured with Golden Honour Medal by Gagauzia Autonomous Republic for his contributions to educational sector of Gagauzia Autonomous Republic.[21]
  • March 2010, awarded with "Outstanding Success" by the National Assembly of TRNC for his contributions and investments made for educational systems and health sectors of TRNC.[22]
  • October 2010, awarded for his contributions to Turkish speaking countries' culture and education with "Türksoy Golden Medal of Honour" in accordance with the decision taken at the conference of Organization of Common Directorate of International Turkish Culture and Arts by the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of Member Countries of TÜRKSOY (The International Organization of Turkic Culture).[23]
  • November 2010, appointed the "Plenary Ambassador of TRNC" through the common decision of the President Derviş Eroğlu and the National Assembly of TRNC.
  • November 2010, awarded with the "Golden Honorary Plaquet" by the Centre of Islam, History, Art and Culture for his contributions to Islamic Conference Organization.[24]
  • February 2011, honoured with a "Medal of Commemoration" for 60th anniversary of invention of the AK 47 gun, by its designer, Mihail Kalashnikov.[25]
  • July 2011, awarded with "Friendship Order", the highest order of the state given to foreigners, by the President of Azerbaijan, İlham Aliyev, for his outstanding contributions to develop the relations between TRNC and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and for his contributions to Azerbaijan Diaspora.[26]
  • In November 2011, Günsel was awarded with the Honorary Medal in celebrations organised to commemorate the 20th anniversary of establishment of Autonomous Gagauzian Republic.[27]
  • In June 2013, At the first Turkey Achievement Awards Ceremony organized by Turkey Life Magazine "Award of International Quality in Education" has been presented to Günsel due to his international contributions to education.[28]
  • October 2013, Special Gold Medal of 20th Anniversary of TURKSOY was awarded to Günsel, at 31st Term Meeting of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY for his outstanding contributions to cultural and educational issues of Turkic world.[29][30]
  • In July 2013, the 2013 Socrates Award was awarded to Günsel by the Europe Business Assembly (EBA), which sells "fake awards",[31] at the award ceremony of Swiss Summit of Leaders held in Montreux, Switzerland,[32] a vanity award
  • In February 2014, "Medal of Superior Service to Crimean Tatar People" was presented to Günsel by the National Assembly of Crimean Tatars for his invaluable support, contributions and assistance in bringing up new staff and educating the Crimean Tatar youth.[33]
  • In November 2016, 25th Year State Order of Gagauzia was presented to Günsel, by Vlah Irina Fedorovna, President of Gagauzia, for his outstanding contributions in education, health and development of Gagauzia.[34][33]
  • In November 2016, Oleg Budza, President of the National Confederation of Trade Unions of Moldova, presented ‘Special Honor Certificate’ of the Confederation to Günsel in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the young people of Moldova and Gaguiza in the field of education.[35][33]
  • In June 2018, 25th Independence Anniversary Medal of Turkic Republics Awarded to Dr. Suat İ. Günsel, Founding Rector of Near East University, by TURKSOY.[36]
  • In September 2022, Günsel was presented with the Order of the Republic of Tatarstan.[37][38]
  • In September 2022, TURKSOY presented Gunsel with its Honor Gold Medal.[39][38]
  • In December 2022, Artists of the Republic of Uzbekistan presented their "National Golden Robes" to Günsel.[38]
  • In May 2023, Günsel was presented with the "TURKSOY 30th Anniversary Gold Medal" by the International Organization of Turkic Culture.[40]

References

  1. ^ Sabah. "Suat Günsel". Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Forbes profile: Suat Gunsel". Forbes. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  3. ^ Finans Haber. "Forbes'un KKTC'li milyarderi". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  4. ^ Hurriyet. "Lefkoşa'daki çöplüğe üniversite kurdu 18 yılda dünya zenginler ligine girdi". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  5. ^ Kibris Gazetesi. "Yaratılan değer, halkımızın onurudur". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  6. ^ "İrfan Günsel, father of the Founding Rector of Near East University, Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel, passed away early morning today – Near East University I". Neu.edu.tr. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel". Yakindogubank.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Turkish Cypriot billionaire to give talk on higher education in British Parliament next week". T-VINE. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  9. ^ Star Kibris. "Günsel'e Moldova'dan fahri doktora". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  10. ^ Star Kibris Gazetesi. "Suat Günsel'e Azerbaycan'dan ödül". Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  11. ^ Kibris Postasi. "Rusya Federasyonu'ndan Suat Günsel'e fahri doktora". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  12. ^ Kıbrıs Postası. "YDÜ Kurucu Rektörü Dr. Suat Günsel'e Bakü'de Fahri Doktora ünvanı verildi". Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  13. ^ Kıbrıs Postası. "Kırım Devlet Üniversitesi Senatosu Günsel'e Fahri Doktora verdi". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  14. ^ "YDÜ Kurucu Rektörü'ne Bakü'den fahri doktora - Güney Haberleri". Sabah.com.tr. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Günsel'e Azerbaycan'da Fahri doktora veriliyor". Adabasini.com. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  16. ^ "Founding Rector Dr. Suat i. Günsel to be awarded with Honorary Doctorate – Near East University I". Neu.edu.tr. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Dr. Suat I. Günsel receives Honorary PhD from Southern Federal University of Russia – Near East University I". Neu.edu.tr. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  18. ^ "Ydü'ye Rusya'dan Onur". Hedefhalk.com. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Ydü'ye Rusya'dan Onur - İstanbul Haberleri". Milliyet.com.tr. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  20. ^ Star Kibris. "Gagauzya'dan Suat Günsel'e Şeref Madalyası". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  21. ^ Volkan Gazetesi. "Suat Günsel'e altın şeref madalyası". Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  22. ^ Kibris Gazetesi. "Üstün Hizmet Ödülü". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  23. ^ Avrupa Gazetesi. "Dr. Suat Günsel'e "En Yüksek Altın Onur Madalyası"". Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  24. ^ Haber Havadis. "Günsel'e Altın Plaket". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  25. ^ Kibris Postasi. "Kalaşnikov'dan Suat Günsel'e madalya". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  26. ^ Kibris Postasi. "Günsel'e Azerbaycan Cumhurbaşkanı Aliyev'den en yüksek devlet nişanı". Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  27. ^ Kibris Postasi. "Gagauzya 20. yıl şeref madalyası YDÜ Kurucu Rektörü Günsel'e verildi". Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  28. ^ NEU Duyuru-Haber. "Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Türkiye'de ve Avrupa'da Ödüle Doymuyor".
  29. ^ NEU Duyuru-Haber. "Dr. Suat İ. Günsel To Be Awarded With Gold Medal".
  30. ^ "Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Duyuru Haber » TURKSOY Special Gold Medal awarded to Dr. Günsel, Founding Rector of NEU Cyprus". 5 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  31. ^ Kenber, Billy (24 July 2017). "Oxford university in fake awards farce". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  32. ^ NEU Duyuru. "Dr. Suat Günsel, the Founding Rector of Near East University, received the 2013 Socrates Award".
  33. ^ a b c "Founder Dr. Suat İ. Günsel – Page 3 – Near East University I". Neu.edu.tr. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Dr. Suat Günsel was awarded with Gagauzia 25th Anniversary State Order – Near East University I". Neu.edu.tr. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  35. ^ "Moldava Cumhuriyeti Sendikalar Konfederasyonu Dr.Günsel'e Onur Belgesi takdim etti". Detaykibris.com. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  36. ^ "Kurucu Rektör Dr. Suat İ. Günsel". 10 October 2015.
  37. ^ "Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat Günsel was awarded the Order of the Republic of Tatarstan". 20 September 2022.
  38. ^ a b c "Founder Dr. Suat İ. Günsel". 12 October 2015.
  39. ^ "Near East University Founding Rector Dr. Suat İrfan Günsel was presented with the TURKSOY Order of Honor Gold Medal". 21 September 2022.
  40. ^ "Founder Dr. Suat İ. Günsel – Near East University I neu.edu.tr". neu.edu.tr. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022.