Web Site Address: http://www.gau.edu.tr
Girne American University was founded in 1985 as an independent, non-profit
institution of higher education. From its establishment, the university has
focused on providing access to an American-based higher education to the
widest possible group of young learners. In charting its course for the next
century, GAU will continue to be guided by this special mission.
To serve its central purpose GAU uses a wide range of strategies: it fosters
a variety of instructional approaches, it encourages scholarship, it engages
in collaborative community service, and it empowers its constituents to become
responsible citizens in an interdependent, pluralistic, global community.
Since 1985, GAU has grown in its understanding of itself, as a modern University.
Although geographically dispersed, GAU is one University.
Today GAU has a clear identity as a Traditional University with a non-traditional
set-up. Over the next five years, it will further transform itself into a
knowlege age University. Programmes at GAU will increasingly offer students
the opportunity to experience and explore the interchange of theory and practice
through technology and service-learning opportunities.
In a Vision for the Academic Year 2001, setout in1996, the Chancellor called
upon the University to live up to its potential of becoming the premier institution
serving the educational needs of young learners so as to become their university
of choice. Pursuit of this goal has made GAU distinctive. Over the next five
years, the University, will continue its efforts to cement its relationship
with both young and adult learners, so that the University, and its programmes
are the first choice of students seeking education.
Over the next five years, (the new age) GAU plans to place online many of
the programmes it currently offers via traditional means.
GAU recognizes that computer technology has made the home and the workplace
the most convenient sites for education. This same technology provides the
University with a fresh means of fulfilling its core value of access.
For the linkage to be meaningful, especially at work, these learning opportunities
must be available when the student wishes to access education (just in time),
must be at least, as current in content and approach as other educational
programes, and must be focused on what is relevant to the students` world.
These learning opportunities must be modular in format so that a student
is able to select tailored learning opportunities.
Over the next five years, GAU will place many of its programs online. It
will also enter into partnerships with business and schools to provide tailored
professional development online. GAUs goal is to become a University with
and without walls, a University located in time and place but unhampered
by constraints of either in the fulfillment of its mission. To do this, GAU
must maintain constant awareness of the impact of technology and how it changes
knowledge and learning. GAU will evaluate its courses, and programs to be
sure the curriculum and learning strategies reflect these changes.
As a knowledge - age University, GAU will strive to empower its graduates
in the new workplace. Through their educational programes, students will
maximize their abilities to confront a problem when faced with an unfamiliar
situations and to work effectively towards a solution, and to apply knowledge
to complex situations. Graduates will be encouraged to actively relate new
ınformation to previous knowledge and experience, to search for patterns
and underlying principles, and to check for supporting evidence when arriving
at a solution.
As successful knowledge workers, who practice lifelong learning, our graduates
will view the University as their constant partner.
GAU understands that change is persuasive, and the University by design is
positioned to accept challenges and competition, associated with higher education
in the 21st Century. By being open to continuous environmental changes, the
University will achieve its goal of being the prominent University serving
young leaders.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is situated in the Mediterranean,
some 40 miles from the coast of mainland Turkey. There are numerous shipping
and airline services from Turkey, and to Turkey from across the world. Syria
lies 60 miles from its shores, and Egypt 250 miles.
To get to North Cyprus and GAU you must cross the sea either by plane or
by ferry. You must travel via Turkey. It is usually most convenient to fly
via the Atatürk Airport in İstanbul.
The Karmi Campus of GAU is found at Karaoğlanoğlu, a few kilometres from
our "University Town" of Girne. The University bus service is on constant
rotation from Girne, and from the dormitories in the Town Centre, to the
University. This service for students runs every half an hour.
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North Cyprus
