 |
| International students in a foreign Varsity |
...Says
North Cyprus is safe for Nigerian students.
First of all may
I thank the ladies and gentlemen of the press for attending this press
conference at such short notice during their busy schedules. I hope that you
are not disappointed since in truth there is not much of a story to tell, but
in the absence of a formal statement it is unfortunate that certain individuals
have chosen to fill this vacuum with their own fantasies.
I hope that
today I can make some personal reassurances correct any misunderstandings and
dispel some of the negative propaganda that has emerged over the past few days.
We were all
deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students Gabriel Soriwei who
tragically passed away after a period in Hospital in September.
As there's an ongoing
Police investigation into the incident it is not appropriate for me to
speculate as to the cause of death or the outcome of the enquiry, and we need
to let these matters run their full course.
Again on behalf
of Cyprus international university I wish to extend my condolences to Mr. Patrick
Soriwei, Gabriel's father; his good lady Wife; family; and to all of his
friends in Cyprus and here in Nigeria affected by this news.
The loss of
one’s child is a parents’ worst nightmare, and it is made all the more painful
when this happens overseas and when it is totally unexpected. You have my
deepest sympathy.
However, from
the moment we learned of the incident, and throughout the difficult times
experienced afterwards, our staffs have acted with the utmost integrity and
professionalism, providing empathy and support to the family above and beyond
their call of duty.
In the aftermath
we have also fully co-operated with the Nigerian officials who visited North
Cyprus met with Hospital staff and TRNC representatives, and students of the
university.
In returning the
deceased to the family we followed the conventions of international protocol
and in accordance with the guidance provided by our colleagues within the
Nigerian government.
At all times we
had the interests of the family at heart and our conduct was appropriate to the
circumstances.
Which is why it
is particularly hurtful and regretful that certain individuals have chosen to
use this unfortunate and tragic event in order to make wild and unfounded
allegations against CIU and its staff in an attempt to bring into disrepute the
good name of the University.
This is
particularly upsetting for prospective students, current students and our
highly successful alumni, since it seeks to undermine their achievements, and
threatens to spoil their dreams and aspirations.
We have spoken at
length to our current students who are for the most part totally perplexed by
the reports emanating from their homeland, since this depiction is not the
Cyprus they know and love, and certainly bears no reality to their current
experiences.
I know many
parents have been trying to contact their children in CIU, and I encourage you
to continue to do so. In our contact with the students we are also asking that
they too contact you and put your mind at ease.
North Cyprus is
a safe place for Nigerian students.
In fact North
Cyprus is one of the safest countries in the world according to Lonely Planet.
Cyprus is a tranquil
peaceful island that is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the
world and is increasingly a destination of choice for those that wish to retire
in the sun.
North Cyprus provides
a friendly convivial environment that is conducive to study as is attested by
over 50 000 current students in its eight official Universities.
With a
population of around 300,000 local inhabitants, students now make up about one
in seven of the population, with the effect of making this welcoming friendly
environment for our students on the island.
A former British
Colony up until 1960 many of the locals speak English, although Turkish is of
course their first language But with English being widely spoken by students,
young Cypriots do like to practice English with their newfound friends.
Of course, we
provide all of our students with basic Turkish language skills, and an
introduction to Cypriot history and culture to help orientate them in their new
surroundings
CIU holds the
importance of the welfare and safety of its students as paramount.
That is why we have
high quality on campus accommodation, guaranteed for all international students
for as long as we need it, and go at great lengths to encourage new arrivals to
make use of these facilities at least during their first 12 months whilst they
are acclimatizing to their new surroundings.
These apartments and
study dormitories are fully compliant will all international safety standards,
swipe card entry systems and with hall managers and a professional maintenance
team there is always someone on hand to assist with any issue.
We provide a 24
hour security service that patrols the campus and can respond rapidly to any
request for assistance.
Furthermore the
University has a medical team that ensures that fully qualified doctors and
nurses are available around the clock, and in the unlikely event of a medical
emergency, we have an ambulance on campus, ready to take patients to the local
state hospital in under 5 minutes.
It should be noted
that we include full medical insurance for all our students during their time
with us in order that any treatment is provided free of charge.
Ok, but several
people have asked us what we are doing now in response to the incident.
We are in
constant dialogue with the authorities investigating the case, and are putting
whatever pressure we can to ensure that this thorough investigation reaches a
timely conclusion. However, when road incidents result in a fatality, those
investigating need to be allowed the time to do their job.
Any false
allegations about corruption concerning investigating officers or trial by
media of the driver involved in the initial collision are not helpful and may
prejudice the court proceedings. This has to stop.
We have
appointed British qualified full time Psychologists and counsellors to provide
psychological and emotional support for any student affected by bereavement or
any other concern that might need such professional help.
Students that
experience trauma stress or other related welfare issues are encouraged, and in
some cases referred to this support service.
We have also
reviewed our student representation provision, in order to ensure that student
reps are freely elected members of the student body and come without their own
personal agenda.
Country
representatives for each of the almost 70 nationalities including of course
Nigeria, are elected to be a mouthpiece for their students.
They are there to
provide a voice for any individual or group that may have concerns.
These representatives
are provided with full training, including mentoring skills, communication
skills organizational and event management experience and will represent their
students at the highest level on University committees.
This new initiative
also provides for regional President and Vice Presidents for sub Saharan Africa
as one of three global regions.
Prior to
departure all students are given briefings as to what to expect on arrival onto
the island and we will arrange free airport pickups to ensure their safe
arrival on campus.
On arrival during
orientation and registration, students will attend full safety briefings and
advice will be given to all students, including reminding them that we drive on
the left hand side of the road for instance. We also provide them with what to
do in emergencies including local phone numbers for all emergency services etc.
I turn now to
another concern, and that is the worry that study in North Cyprus and in
particular CIU, is not recognized or accredited. Those that are trying to make
political gain and those that are trying to take advantage of the current
negative press are happy to let confusion reign without proper investigation
Let me try and
untangle any confusion.
CIU is a fully
accredited institution of Higher Education It is accredited by the Turkish
Republic Higher Education Board The International Association of Universities
The European Association for International Education and is recognized by and a
member of UKNARIC.
Individual
faculties belong to their professional bodies including the European Council
For Business Education, the Council on a Hotel Restaurant and Institutional
Education The European Consortium for political research and a variety of
Scientific and Engineering bodies.
CIU also has
over 100 academic partners worldwide and works with the Quality assurance
agencies of all major countries.
Individual
countries have inspected our facilities, and recognize CIU in its accreditation
departments.
Nigeria is one of
those countries and one that we continue to enjoy a firm relationship with.
It is important
to stress that before its inception in 1997 Cyprus International University
spent five years ensuring that it applied due diligence and the highest
academic rigor, quality assurance, and robust support functions before offering
its academic programs.
In the sixteen
years of its existence CIU has produced high quality education to countless
Nigerian and other international students that has been recognized by employers
and educational providers the world over.
We consider our
international students to be well educated and prepared for the future and fine
ambassadors for ourselves, their family and their country.
I wish to make
it plain that the misguided attempts to discredit the institution has a wide
reaching effect to those who proudly gained their educational training at CIU
and I hope that those who are behind this see the error of their ways.
It is a sad fact
of life that people die in motorway accidents all over the world. Thankfully
through traffic calming measures and a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h with
average speed cameras ensuring that on such stretches the overwhelming majority
of drivers adhere to this, North Cyprus is relatively free of such incidents.
It is difficult
to see how any University can be held accountable for off campus incidents
during the summer holidays, but perhaps the emotions and the lack of closure
has led some to seek cause and effect and attribute blame where none exists.
I do sincerely
hope that the family can come to terms with their loss, and that the
investigation reaches their conclusions so the full disclosure of the facts can
be in the public domain.
In the meantime I ask
that common sense prevail, for the sake of all the students and parents of CIU
past present and future, and for the true memory of Gabriel Soriwei our sorely
missed student and friend to so many of our current Nigerian students.
I extend an open
invitation to any government accreditation body to come and inspect our
premises, and to any members of the gathered representatives of the press to
come and see North Cyprus and our institution at first hand.
I would like to
thank all the students and parents for their support and understanding over the
past few days and thank all those countless people who have sent messages of
support. I also wish to express my thanks to all our Nigerian Agents that have
worked tirelessly to inform parents and students without prejudice.
I wish to thank all
those who planned to see us in Uyo and Lagos, but we're unable to due to the
enforced postponing of the visits by ourselves, and I hope very much to visit
you at our next opportunity.
I would extend
my thanks to the staff and management of the Sheraton Abuja for providing this
venue today and for all the ladies and gentlemen of the press for their
attendance.
Thanks for your
attention.
Patrick Douse
No comments:
Post a Comment