Eastern Mediterranean University Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Medicine Receives International Accreditation
The education provided by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Medicine, which began its academic journey in the 2012-2013 academic year, has now been officially recognized as meeting international standards.
With the accreditation proving that the Faculty fully complies with national and international standards, its internationally recognized diploma will now allow graduates to take professional exams abroad.
Following the accreditation of the International Medical Program, jointly conducted by EMU Dr. Fazıl Küçük Faculty of Medicine and Marmara University (MU) Faculty of Medicine, by the Association for the Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD) — the only institution in the region accrediting medical education in Cyprus — Acting Dean of the Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Güzoğlu, gave an interview to the Turkish News Agency Cyprus (TAK).
Highlighting that this accreditation confirms the Faculty's provision of education at international standards, Güzoğlu emphasized that the university's status has been further strengthened. She stated, “Our students will graduate with an internationally recognized diploma, gain the opportunity to take professional exams abroad, and continue their careers internationally. Some of our previous graduates are already working in Europe and the United States, but as of 2023, graduation from an accredited faculty has become mandatory for taking exams such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)."
Güzoğlu also noted that the Faculty is now listed in the ÖSYM (Student Selection and Placement Center) guide as an “Accredited Medical Faculty."
“Accreditation Ensures Quality and Continuous Improvement"
Emphasizing that accreditation is crucial for ensuring the quality of education and maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement, Güzoğlu said, “Accreditation is not a one-time achievement. We will continue to submit annual reports to the accreditation body, they will visit the faculty periodically to check if we still meet the criteria. This means we have set our education quality to certain standards and ensured its security, while continuously updating it to meet contemporary requirements."
Güzoğlu also mentioned that the EMU-MU joint medical program is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and that many graduates have continued their careers internationally. She stated, “Additionally, we take pride in the fact that our Faculty hosts the first internationally accredited medical program in the TRNC and the first accredited joint medical program in Turkey. This demonstrates that our Faculty is a competitive educational institution not only regionally but also globally."
The Accreditation Process
Explaining that they started the accreditation process in 2018 when they had their first graduates, Güzoğlu noted that the process was prolonged due to the pandemic, as it required extensive and meticulous work. She stated that they worked diligently with students and faculty members throughout the process led by TEPDAD, during which the educational programs, academic and administrative staff, student support services, and clinical applications were thoroughly examined.
For accreditation, they first submitted an evaluation report covering nine main criteria. After reviewing the report, TEPDAD provided suggestions for revisions, which they implemented with great care. Once the preliminary evaluation report was approved, the process moved on to the site visit stage. Güzoğlu explained, “In recent weeks, the TEPDAD delegation visited our faculty, meticulously examined our entire academic staff, educational programs, and student support services, and verified the consistency of the report. Based on this, the National Medical Education Accreditation Board (UTEAK) unanimously decided to accredit our program."
Güzoğlu emphasized that the accreditation process has brought them many valuable insights: “We once again realized that education is not just about in-class lessons but also includes student support services, clinical applications, and post-graduation follow-ups."
Courses and Program Structure
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilüfer Güzoğlu explained that students complete three years of preclinical coursework at EMU and then spend the next three years at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine's affiliated hospitals for clinical training, benefiting from extensive hands-on patient interaction.
Stressing that the Faculty's program is not limited to teaching basic and clinical sciences, Güzoğlu stated that they aim to equip students with leadership skills, patient-centered healthcare approaches, effective communication with patients, and interprofessional collaboration skills.
She also noted that the Faculty encourages scientific research, involving students in research projects from their first year and placing great importance on social responsibility projects. According to Güzoğlu, students actively participate in projects related to public health and supporting disadvantaged groups. Additionally, from the second year onward, students start encountering patients both in their own clinics and at Gazimağusa State Hospital. She remarked, “Our goal is not just to train good doctors, but also to nurture socially responsible physicians."
Students and Graduates: 230 Graduates from 23 Countries
Güzoğlu reported that the Faculty has graduated around 230 students so far, with 30% from the TRNC, 20% from Turkey, and 50% from various international backgrounds, totaling graduates from 23 different countries.
She mentioned that while they are working to improve their graduate tracking system, they already have essential data on their alumni. She emphasized that they maintain communication with graduates who have returned to Cyprus to work in different specialties as well as those who have achieved great success abroad.
Future Goals
Speaking about the Faculty's future goals, Güzoğlu stated that they aim to establish master's and doctoral programs, enhance international collaborations, expand student exchange programs, and increase scientific research activities.
