E.M.U. shuts out culture - 25 int. lecturers to go

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 12:47

Shattering news today for education, culture and the future of Famagusrta and Kaleburnu.

It was decided yesterday, overnight to close the departs of Archaeology and art history, English Literature, istory as well as Music. 25 lecturers with international educational pedigrees and their students are now without a department and the future of having Turkish Cypriots or Turks to run the art side of the country are gone. No otheruni offers these courses, and the GC's will be rubbing their hands.

The saving of Famagusta becomes a dream, and it will fall to the ground lost for ever - unless someone can persuade someone somewhere to do something about overturning the uni's decision ,l or for another uni to buy the departments lock stock and barrel.

Anyone out there with any influence, or prepared to write to Talat, the P.M and anybody else????

Aslan


Joined: 23/06/2008
Posts: 757

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 13:03

Hi MarieB could you tell me the source of this news, just spoke to a lecturer in the music who says the department has not been closed?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 13:27

Not good news, knowing Marion she would try to get good information.



If her source was not good the rumour would not help EMU anyway.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 13:29

MarieB

Were there any reasons given?

AJ

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 13:43

Sorry will not reveal my source, but I believe every word.

Finance is mentioned as the reason, although these departments were NOT losing money (I am told). Staff were asked to take a 10% pay cut as a possible remedy. Staff agreed but the Union is fighting that! Oops.



As to the person in the Music department, maybe they haven't heard. This was as of yesterday.

Obviously if I get different facts, I will inform.



Eroglu was contacted by students and at first he said he could do nothing, but when the threat of non-votes came up from students and their parents, he said he would make a phone call. But heard nothing of the outcome.



As I say, I believe my source 1000% (not a typing error - one thousand) and if I hear that the source is wrong, then someone tell me. Does anyone know anyone in high places at EMU?



If it is a joke, then it is a sick one, as lecturers are at home today doing gardening!!!

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 18:32

O.K. guys, a bit of an update.

My terminology of earlier may have been misleading, as maybe I was also misled, but what is happening is that no new students are being taken and those who are enrolled will have their courses seen through to the end. At least that is what is being said now. But that DOES mean that North Cyprus will not have any Cypriots trained enough to continue with the future of archaeology etc into the future.

I should also point out that the departments in question are English speaking ones, as befits the arts.

Naybe there will be a salvation/solution before the whole thing falls apart altogether, so if anyone knows of a benefactor that would give the uni money to ensure that the courses continue please persuade them

I guess the main question is "What value to you put on the heritage of North Cyprus' because if North Cypriots are not qualified in the long term to care for their own culture, into whose hands does it fall, and what is the future.



Sorry if I m

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 18:34

Sorery if I misled anyone. Oh, and techynically all contracts with lecturers will be honoured, but will probably not be renewed, so even vital personnel whose contracts finish in July this year, may not be allowed to continue. It is said to be all down to money, but the downward spiral is because part timers were brought in 6 weeks ago which has cost more than can be afforded.

Maybe, who knows, someone will decide to discuss this further, but the question remains 'Who will care for the national heritage of this island in the future? '

MarkVPiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 19:28

A sad story, but the TRNC has been living beyond its means for too long, as something has to give.



I'm sure we will be seeing similar types of cuts inn the UK once the election is over, as the UK is in the same boat



Mark