YÖDAK’s Congratulatory Message to TRNC Universities for Their Success in International Rankings
As the international visibility and competitiveness of the higher education sector in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) continue to grow, the achievements of our universities in prestigious global rankings make us proud. As the Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK), we are pleased to announce to the public the significant recent successes of Near East University (NEU), Cyprus International University (CIU), Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), and European University of Lefke (EUL) in global ranking results, and we wholeheartedly congratulate all our institutions.
1. Times Higher Education (THE)
Near East University (NEU) – THE World University Rankings 2026: Top 500
Near East University’s achievement of ranking among the world’s top 500 universities is a remarkable milestone demonstrating the rising academic quality and global competitiveness of the TRNC higher education system. This result reflects the university’s consistent progress in research capacity, international collaborations, and academic productivity.
Cyprus International University (CIU) – THE World University Rankings 2026: 601–800 Band
Cyprus International University’s placement in the 601–800 band in THE 2026 Rankings highlights its strong performance particularly in research quality, academic publication standards, citation impact, and research-focused collaborations. This achievement contributes significantly to the international visibility of the TRNC higher education sector and to the strengthening of a robust research culture.
Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) – THE World University Rankings 2026: 601–800 Band
According to THE 2026 results, EMU ranked in the 601–800 band. This reflects the university’s concrete progress toward improving its academic performance on a global scale.
Additionally, EMU’s success in the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy 2025 Academic Ranking (Hospitality and Tourism Management)—placing in the 51–75 band worldwide and ranking 12th globally in the Research Impact category—demonstrates that the university competes not only at a regional level but also on a global stage, particularly in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
2. Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Sustainability Rankings 2026
In the QS 2026 Sustainability Rankings, the European University of Lefke ranked in the 1031–1040 band, Eastern Mediterranean University ranked 871, and Near East University ranked in the 1101–1150 band—marking a significant achievement for all three institutions. These results further demonstrate the growing momentum and strong academic standing of TRNC universities in the international arena.
The achievements of our universities in various fields indicate that TRNC higher education:
• has increased its internationalization capacity,
• has strengthened its research quality indicators,
• has become more visible in global competition,
• has developed a strong academic productivity and collaboration culture.
As YÖDAK, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting all universities in their efforts toward quality assurance, research-focused development, and alignment with international standards in higher education.
In this regard, we congratulate Near East University, Cyprus International University, Eastern Mediterranean University, and the European University of Lefke for their valuable achievements, and we extend our best wishes to their academic and administrative staff, students, and stakeholders.
Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YÖDAK)
