The International Joint Medical Program, initiated in 2012 between Marmara University and Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), has been accredited by the Association for Evaluation and Accreditation of Medical Education Programs (TEPDAD), marking a significant milestone. With this accreditation, the program has become the first joint medical education program in Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to receive international-level accreditation.

The accreditation certificate presentation ceremony was held on June 3 at the Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center. The event was attended by TRNC Minister of Health Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek, TRNC Minister of National Education Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Rector of Marmara University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, Rector of Eastern Mediterranean University Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, TEPDAD Board Chair Prof. Dr. İskender Sayek, as well as academic administrators and faculty members from both universities.

In his speech at the ceremony, Rector of Marmara University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt stated, “The shared vision of two well-established universities is reflected in the quality of medical education. This program, which began in 2012, is a guarantee of academic stability.” Also serving as a member of the EMU Board of Trustees, Rector Kurt emphasized the importance of academic collaborations in terms of internationalization.

Speaking at the event, Dean of Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Prof. Dr. Ümit Süleyman Şehirli noted that the joint program has progressed as a model process with its scientific quality and interdisciplinary structure since 2012. “With this collaboration, our goal is not only to ensure quality in education, but also to establish a model structure in international medical education,” he said. Stressing that accreditation is not merely a certification process but also a critical threshold for the sustainability of educational quality, Şehirli underlined that the program offers students a world-class experience. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of accreditation and appreciation certificates following the opening speeches, and a group photo session.