Rauf Denktas University was established to preserve and bequeath to the younger generation Mr. Denktash`s legacies and ideas about economic, social, educational, religious, and cultural rights of minorities, human dignity, self-determination and peaceful coexistence between different peoples.
Rauf Denktas (1924-2012) was a prominent Turkish Cypriot politician and the founding president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Born in Paphos, Cyprus, Denktas studied law in the United Kingdom and became a lawyer in 1947. He returned to Cyprus the same year to establish his own law firm. He was a co-founder of the Turkish Resistance Organization during the 1950s and played an active role in the Turkish Cypriot community’s struggle for political rights and self-determination.
Denktas became the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in 1973 and was one of the main negotiators in the talks leading to the establishment of the independent Republic of Cyprus in 1960. However, tensions between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities erupted into violence in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Rauf Denktas University
In 1974, following a Greek Cypriot coup d’état backed by the military junta in Greece, Turkish troops landed in Cyprus to protect the Turkish Cypriot community. Denktas became the first president of the newly established TRNC in 1983 and held the position until 2005.
President Denktas was praised by the Turkish Cypriot community for his leadership and efforts to protect their community. He received numerous honorary doctorate degrees from various universities in recognition of his depth of political knowledge and experience.
Denktas was a prolific author and wrote extensively on the Cyprus issue, the history of Cyprus, and Turkish Cypriot identity. In addition to authoring numerous books and journal articles, Denktas was an avid photographer. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 87, and his legacy continues to shape the politics of Cyprus.
Rauf Denktas University was established to preserve and bequeath to the younger generation Mr. Denktash`s legacies and ideas about economic, social, educational, religious, and cultural rights of minorities, human dignity, self-determination and peaceful coexistence between different peoples.
Accordingly, Rauf Denktas University seeks to be a university of choice with its excellent teaching and research faculty as well as facilities. It seeks to provide high quality education that enables its graduate to be employable internationally. RDU also seeks to contribute, through research, towards identifying and proposing solutions to local and international problems.
All RDU programs undergo rigorous national and international accreditation processes to ensure its students are provided with world standard education. Currently, Rauf Denktas University programs have been accredited by the competent educational authorities of the TRNC, the National Ministry of Education and Culture and the Higher Education Accreditation and Coordination Council (YODAK), Higher Education Council, YOK in Turkey and externally by the famous accreditation agency, the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) based in Germany.
RDU gives utmost importance and priority to the international employability of its graduates, it continues to work with local and international partners, prospective employers, professional bodies and academic institutions to design curricular that meet current and evolving market needs. Each program at RDU consists of a significant component tailored to meet the specificities of the economies, cultures, values and legal aspects of the target countries, thereby equipping RDU graduates with relevant competencies that enable them to be employed internationally.
RDU is temporarily located in the historic city of Nicosia, which serves as the capital city of North Cyprus. The city is booming with students from diverse cultures, its safe, friendly, and has a pleasant Mediterranean climate making it an ideal place for learning.
The medium of instruction at RDU, except for Turkish Law, is English. The English Preparatory Program offers intensive English courses for students with low-level English. Additionally, students with a weak background in mathematics and computer skills are offered foundation classes. Students are also introduced to Turkish history, culture and language as part of their program of study.
Courses at RDU are based on the American Credit System and its equivalent, the European Credit and Transfer System (ECTS).
RDU provides students with the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities and develop generic learning skills such as leadership and team work. Our student clubs embody such an ambition as they provide the necessary environment for personal development.
Sport Clubs such as RDU Football, RDU Futsal, and RDU Basketball allow male and female students to practice their favorite sport at amateur level. Sport Clubs also have to represent RDU in competitions organized by the TRNC Inter-University Sports Federation.
RDU students are also invited to form or join one of our Student Societies. The Societies gather students from the same nationality and provide them with an environment in which they can express their national and cultural identities and enhance diversity at RDU.
One of our most important clubs is RDU Student Union. This is a representative Assembly made of students from different genders, age groups, nationalities, and departments. The Student Union represents and defends the interest of all students before the Administration and plays a role in the governance of the University.
RDU Buildings
The main building of RDU includes the Administration Units including Rector’s Office, Registrar’s Office and Faculty Deans’ Offices. The Dikilitas Building, is the home of lecture halls and the FLEPS. The Asmaalti Building hosts Faculty of Law and its practice labs. The RDU Culture Centre is a building designed to host cultural events with a capacity of 400 people in its Theatre Hall and another 6 smaller halls with a capacity of 120 people in each.
Library
RDU Library provides easy access to the world academic resources, and variety of study environment for student and academic staff. The library offers materials in the form of print and electronics collections, and online access to the research databases.
Laboratories
RDU has Computer Lab equipped with latest desktop computers. All the computers are connected to the high-speed network access. The Architecture Workshop Room provides students with all the necessary facilities to carry out their projects.
Health Centre
RDU cares about the health and well-being of its students, academic and administrative staff. RDU Health Centre provides first aid to any of its students or staff that needs medical attention. In case the patient requires further treatment, s/he is transferred to a nearby hospital. Medical expenses are covered by health insurance. Once any medical treatment starts at the hospital, the University’s International Office will contact with the student as well as the hospital to ensure that the best possible medical care is delivered. After the release of the student from the hospital, he/she will be interviewed to evaluate his/her satisfaction with the medical service received.
Religious Services
Facilities are made available for those who would like to fulfill their religious obligations. For Muslim students the Mosque is next to the University. For non-Muslim students University provides all the necessary facilities.
Canteens and Cafés
RDU hosts a canteen in each of its buildings in which students can dine with very reasonable student prices. In addition to dispenser machines located in each building, students may also enjoy passing time together in the University’s café.
