Universities in TRNC contribute greatly to the local economy [est. $1.3 Billion dollars annually]

Speaking at the Higher Education Workshop in Nicosia, CEO and Vice Chancellor of the Board of Girne American University (GAU)  Assist. Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi has said that the contribution of the universities to the economy is 1,3 billion dollars and he also pointed out that this amount is equal to 28% of TRNC's economy.

Stating that the 1/4th of the population of residents in Cyprus consist of the university students Vehbi has said that “It is hard to see the same amount in some other places and really hard amount to reach. There are 75,000 in 300,000 populated TRNC.

  

Universities have a huge impact

Underlining the importance of the universities in Northern Cyprus, Vehbi emphasized the important role of the universities and on behalf of the universities  the academics and students on the TRNC community, economy and socio-cultural life.

Asım Vehbi has said that the higher education needs a very good administration and control and has also stated that the universities provide a cultural wealth and a social dynamism. Vehbi has said that “if we consider a calendar year of the Girne American University, there are more than 700 academic, social, cultural and sportive activities. “If we assume that this amount is same in other universities and if we know that these activities realize by the participation of the people, so we know that not only the economic but also the sociocultural wealth occurs.”

The benefits of the universities are quite a lot

Expressing that the universities realize very important social responsibility projects, provide a support in every field and produce an intellectual wealth, Vehbi has said that “Even our media make use of the academics of the universities in many aspects. If we consider the last presidential election, we could see that almost each candidate has had academic support. And I think this is something to be proud of.”

 Stating that the universities are part of the life and provide a very important area for the social development Vehbi has said that, “These students form an important source at the 1.league basketball, football and in many club teams of many fields.

Education Contribution to the economy is $1,3 Billion dollars.

In his speech, Vehbi has shared data of the Turkish Republic Aid Committee’s study and has also emphasized that the contribution of the universities to the economy  is 1,3 billion dollars and he has pointed out that this amount is equal to the 28% country income.

Vehbi has emphasized that the 1,3 billion dollars does not just come from tuition of universities. He also said that  28% of the amount reflect to the food & beverage, 17% to the accomodation , 5.2% to the domestic transportation, 5% to the communication expenses, 5% to the clothes, 4.8% to the flights to and from TRNC, 3.3% to the books and stationery expenses, 2.7% on social life, art and sports and 1% reflects to the other fields.

Vehbi has stated that TRNC is known as an education country due to its higher education even though it is not recognized by the states of the world. Vehbi has also said that “When the students, that come from 120 different countries, return to their countries, they make an honorary representation for TRNC and automatically become ambassadors. Our academic background, geographical position, good climate and low crime rates are known by many countries.”

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Credit: EMU