EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY

ACADEMIC STAFF TITLE BY-LAW

 

STATUTE ESTABLISHING NORTH CYPRUS EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

(18/1986, 39/1992, 58/1992, 37/1997 and 37/2011)

By-law under Article 26(2)

 

This by-law also covers “Eastern Mediterranean University Academic Staff Title By-law (Amendment No. 1/1991 – 1/2025).

 

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Council of Ministers has made this By-law in accordance with Article 26(2) of the Statute Establishing the North Cyprus Education Foundation and Eastern Mediterranean University.

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Brief Name

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1.

Eastern Mediterranean University Academic Staff Title By-law

Description

2.

Unless otherwise indicated, the meanings of the terms  “Academic Staff “, “Council of Ministers”, “Head of the Department ”, “Associate Professor”, “Postgraduate”, “Senior Instructor”, “Professor”, “Rector”, “Senate”, “Board of Trustees”, and “Assistant Professor” are equivalent to their meanings defined in the Statute Establishing the North Cyprus Education Foundation and Eastern Mediterranean University (18/1986).

Aim and Scope

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This By-law governs the acquisition, recognition, and preservation of the academic titles of ‘Professor’, ‘Associate Professor’, and ‘Assistant Professor’ for academic staff employed at Eastern Mediterranean University; establishes the rules concerning the recognition and retention of academic titles earned at other universities and regulates the related procedures.

Proficiency in English

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4.

(1)

Proficiency in English is one of the requirements for the academic staff who will be appointed to the English-medium units at the Eastern Mediterranean University. English language proficiency is required in the evaluation processes for the titles of ‘Associate Professor’ and ‘Assistant Professor’. The criteria regarding English language proficiency for specified titles shall be determined by the University Executive Board within the Academic Evaluation Criteria. No documentary proof of English proficiency is required for applications for the title of ‘Professor’. However, only in cases of initial appointment and externally announced vacant positions, the English language proficiency of candidates subject to evaluation for the title of ‘Professor’ shall be assessed through a seminar method.

(2)

For the purposes of this By-law, a seminar refers to the assessment and evaluation, conducted by the relevant Department Board—or by the Faculty Board in faculties without departments—of the candidate’s ability to present a selected topic within their field of expertise in English or in the language of instruction of the applied field, as well as their ability to speak effectively before an audience.

 

PART II

ACADEMIC EVALUATION COMMITTEE

Academic Evaluation

Committee

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5.

 

 

(1)

Academic Evaluation Committee (ADEK) is formed to assess the sufficiency of the candidate for awarding an academic title.

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(2)

The Academic Evaluation Commission (ADEK) is composed of eleven (11) members, including one professor from each of the ten (10) principal academic fields identified under the Academic Evaluation Criteria, appointed for a three-year term upon the proposal of the University Executive Board and the approval of the Senate, together with the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, who chairs the Commission. In the event of a vacant position, a new member shall be appointed through the same procedure to serve the remainder of the former member’s term.

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(3)

Decisions shall be taken by a majority of the total number of members.

 

PART III

CRITERIA FOR ACADEMIC EVALUATIONS

Academic Evaluation Criteria in Awarding Titles

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6.

“Academic Evaluation Criteria” implemented in awarding the titles of ‘Professor’, ‘Associate Professor’ and ‘Assistant Professor’ are determined by the University Executive Board upon obtaining the views of the Faculty Boards.

 

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PART IV

PROFESSOR TITLE

Application Requirements for the Title of ‘Professor’

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7.

Following conditions are sought from applicants in awarding the title of ‘Professor’:

 

 

(1)

After obtaining the title of ‘Associate Professor’, the candidate must have been employed full-time at a university under this title for at least three (3) years and must have worked in the relevant field under this title for a minimum of five (5) years.

 

 

(2)

The candidate must possess academic work that complies with the Academic Evaluation Criteria specified in Article 6.

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(3)

For the purposes of this Article, the title of ‘Associate Professor’ refers to the Associate Professorship obtained in accordance with the Academic Evaluation Criteria of Eastern Mediterranean University.

Method for Awarding the Title of ‘Professor’

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8.

(1)

Candidates who meet the requirements of the conditions for application to the Professorship, shall apply to the Rector’s Office in October or March with the documents listed below:

(A)

Curriculum Vitae

(B)

Document certifying Doctoral degree, Proficiency in Arts or Medical Specialization

(C)

Associate Professorship Certificate

(D)

List of Publications

(E)

Copies of scientific publications

(F)

Educational activities

(G)

Documentary proof of a very good command of the English language (if any)

(H)

Copies of congress and conference papers

(I)

List of attributions in publications

(J)

List of conducted research projects (if any)

(K)

List of supervised postgraduate thesis

(L)

Information and documentation regarding applied studies (if any)

(M)

Contributions made to the University administration and the Community (if any)

(N)

Copies of other documents at may be included in the evaluation based on the Academic Evaluation Criteria specified in Article 6.

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All the documents specified above shall be submitted to the Rector’s Office, either electronically or in print as 5 separate files.

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(2)

For the candidates who have submitted a complete list of documents specified above, the Rector’s Office submits a copy of the files to the relevant Department Head through Dean’s Office. The Department Head evaluates the candidate’s application from a departmental perspective and, prepares and submits a report to the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office prepares and submits a report to the Rector’s Office after having added their own views. If the procedure related to the academic title is to be carried out within one of the higher schools or schools of the University, the Rector’s Office shall request a report from the relevant School Director through same method.

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(3)

The Rector’s Office submits the candidate’s files with the academic unit reports described in Article (8)2 to the Academic Evaluation Committee (ADEK). After having evaluated the candidate’s application according to the academic evaluation criteria mentioned in Article 6 and taking into consideration the views of the academic units, ADEK determines whether the candidate will go through an academic/scientific evaluation or not. If the candidate’s application is rejected, ADEK sends the files back to the Rector’s Office with justifications attached. If ADEK’s decision on the candidate’s application is positive, five principal and two substitute professors, all of whom from universities abroad, are appointed to perform an evaluation of the academic/scientific adequacy of the candidate. Candidate’s files are submitted to the Rector’s Office to be sent to the appointed Professors. Appointed Professors are asked to submit an evaluation report specifying the candidate’s research qualifications and quality level of publications made especially after being appointed to the Associate Professor title in terms of originality, their standing at the international platform and their contribution to science of publications. The committee of professors is also asked to provide an evaluation of the candidate’s quality in teaching, qualities of the thesis/theses supervised, contributions made through laboratory and/or any other practical applications, services to the society, as well as the candidate’s administrative competencies. The committee of professors is expected to submit their report to the Rector’s Office no later than one month. The Rector’s Office submits the candidate’s files as well as the professor reports to the Academic Evaluation Committee (ADEK). After having evaluated all reports, ADEK reaches its ultimate decision and sends it to the Rector’s Office for approval.

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(4)

In accordance with Article (8)3, in the case of ADEK reaches a favorable decision, the Rector’s Office shall notify the candidate and the relevant units and formally announce that the candidate is entitled to receive the title of Professor. Where ADEK’s decision is negative and is approved by the Rector’s Office, the Rector’s Office shall notify the candidate of the decision together with its reasons. If the Rector’s Office does not approve ADEK’s negative decision, the process shall be reinitiated under the same procedure by a provisional ADEK composed entirely of new members, with the exception of the Vice Rector responsible for academic affairs, and the candidate shall be re-evaluated. The decision rendered by the ADEK constituted in this manner shall be final. Where the evaluation of the provisional ADEK is negative, the reasoned decision shall be communicated to the candidate by the Rector’s Office. Where the decision is positive, the Rector’s Office shall notify and announce to the candidate and the relevant units that the candidate is entitled to be awarded the title of Professor.

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(5)

All procedures specified above shall be finalized within a maximum period of six months from the date of the candidate’s application. A candidate whose application is rejected shall be entitled to reapply in the third academic semester following the application period.

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(6)

 

 

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PART V

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TITLE

Application Requirements for the Title of ‘Associate Professor’

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(1)

Following conditions are sought from applicants in awarding the title of ‘Associate Professor’:

(A)

To hold the title for the doctoral degree or a certificate demonstrating proficiency in arts or medicine.

(B)

To be employed full-time at a university for a minimum of two years and to have worked at the relevant field for a minimum of 3 years after receiving the Doctoral degree.

(C)

The candidate must possess academic work that complies with the Academic Evaluation Criteria specified in Article 6.

(D)

For the purposes of this Article, the title of ‘Assistant Professor’ or “Doctor Faculty Member” refer to the title Assistant Professor conferred in compliance with the Academic Evaluation Criteria of Eastern Mediterranean University.

Method for Awarding the Title of ‘Associate Professor’

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(1)

Candidates who meet the requirements of the conditions for application to the Associate Professorship, shall apply to the Rector’s Office in October or March with the documents listed below:

(A)

Curriculum Vitae

(B)

Document certifying Doctoral degree and a summary of the doctoral thesis or, Proficiency in Arts, or Specialization in Medical

(C)

List of Publications

(D)

Copies of scientific publications

(E)

Educational activities

(F)

Copies of congress and conference papers

(G)

List of research projects conducted and participated in (if any)

(H)

List of supervised postgraduate thesis

(I)

Information and documentation regarding applied studies (if any)

(J)

Contributions made to the University administration and the Community (if any)

(K)

Copies of other documents at may be included in the evaluation based on the Academic Evaluation Criteria specified in Article 6

(L)

List of attributions in publications

(M)

English proficiency certificate

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All the documents specified above shall be submitted to the Rector’s Office, either electronically or in print as 5 separate files. For the candidates who have submitted a complete list of documents specified above, the Rector’s Office submits a copy of the files to the relevant Department Head through Dean’s Office. The Department Head evaluates the candidate’s application from a departmental perspective and prepares and submits a report to the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office prepares and submits a report to the Rector’s Office after having added their own views. If the procedure related to the academic title is to be carried out within one of the Vocational Schools or Schools of the University, the Rector’s Office shall request a report from the relevant School Director following a similar method. The Rector’s Office submits the candidate’s files to ADEK together with the reports of the academic units. ADEK evaluates the candidate in terms of the Academic Evaluation Criteria referred to in Article 6 and, taking into account the opinions of the academic units, decides whether a scientific jury should be appointed for the candidate. Where the decision is negative, ADEK returns the files to the Rector’s Office together with its reasoned decision. Where the decision is positive, ADEK appoints a scientific jury in the relevant field consisting of five principal and two substitute professor members. All five principal and two substitute members of the jury shall be professors from universities abroad.

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(2)

 

Associate Professor Examination

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11.

The Rector’s Office has the ultimate responsibility in the convening and functioning of the Scientific Jury. Scientific Jury evaluates and finalizes the candidate’s application within three months following the candidate’s application. The Jury evaluates the candidate in two stages.

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(1)

Evaluation of the Submitted Research:

Prior to the meeting, integrity of the research submitted by the candidate is evaluated by the members of the Scientific Jury. During the evaluation, the Jury assesses the relevancy and contribution of the documents/research to the science as well as their uniqueness. Following their evaluation, the Jury prepares a report. During the preparation of the report, priority is given to research conducted after the candidate obtained his/her doctoral degree or expertise in arts or medicine. The scientific jury, meeting in full quorum, shall elect a chair from among its members and, following its assessment of the pre-prepared reports, shall render a decision by majority vote as “favorable” or “unfavorable”. The outcome shall be conveyed orally to the candidate and reported to the Rector’s Office by means of a detailed record together with the relevant reports. The scientific jury members shall submit the results of the evaluation of the works to ADEK within one (1) month at the latest.

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(2)

Interview:

If the Jury makes a favorable decision regarding the candidate’s application during the evaluation phase, the candidate is called for an interview within ten days. Based on the research/documents submitted by the candidate, her/his views and knowledge are assessed. The Jury, then, render a decision by majority vote as “favorable” or “unfavorable”. Where the decision is unfavorable, it shall be notified orally to the candidate and submitted to the Rector’s Office, with reasons, in the form of an official record.

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(3)

The decisions taken by the Scientific Jury is final and cannot be appealed against.

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(4)

In the event of a favorable decision by the scientific jury, the Rector’s Office shall communicate and publicly announce to the candidate and the relevant units that the candidate has fulfilled the requirements for the award of the title of Associate Professor.

Evaluation of the Associate Professor Examination

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12.

(1)

Where the evaluation results in a negative outcome at any stage, the decision shall be notified to the candidate by the Rector’s Office together with its reasons.

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(2)

All procedures specified above shall be finalized within a maximum period of six months from the date of the candidate’s application. A candidate whose application is rejected shall be entitled to reapply in the third academic semester following the semester in which the notification is issued.

 

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PART VI

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR TITLE

Application Requirements for the Title of ‘Assistant Professor’

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13.

The following conditions are sought from candidates who are to apply for the title of ‘Assistant Professor’:

(1)

Document certifying Doctoral degree or, Specialization in Medicine or Proficiency in Arts

(2)

To have conducted academic work in accordance with the Academic Evaluation Criteria specified in Article 6.

Method for Awarding the Title of ‘Assistant Professor’

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14.

(1)

Candidates who wish to be awarded with the ‘Assistant Professor’ title, shall apply to the Rector’s Office in October or March with the documents listed below:

(A)

Curriculum Vitae

(B)

Document certifying Doctoral degree and a summary of the doctoral thesis or, Proficiency in Arts, or Specialization in Medical

(C)

English proficiency certificate

(D)

List of publications (if any)

(E)

Copies of scientific publications

(F)

Copies of congress and conference papers

(G)

Copies of other documents at may be included in the evaluation based on the Academic Evaluation Criteria specified in Article 6

(H)

List of attributions in publications

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All the documents specified above shall be submitted to the Rector’s Office, either electronically or in print as 4 separate files.

 

 

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(2)

Upon obtaining the views of the Department Head, Dean appoints a jury consisting of three academic staff members one of whom is the relevant Department Head. The jury members can be appointed both within and outside the Eastern Mediterranean University. The Dean’s Office has the ultimate responsibility in the functioning of the Jury.  The Jury evaluates the application and the documents of the candidate, if necessary, evaluates the seminars given by the candidate and finally reaches to a “favorable” or “unfavorable” decision. The Dean’s Office is notified about the decision in writing. The specified process shall be finalized within a maximum period of three months.

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(3)

Faculty Dean conveys the decision of the Jury as well as his/her views to the Rector’s Office. The Rector’s Office submits all reports and files to the ADEK who will come to a conclusion after making the necessary evaluation. ADEK submits its decision to the Rector’s Office for approval.

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(4)

In the event of a favorable decision by ADEK, the Rector’s Office shall communicate and publicly announce to the candidate and the relevant units that the candidate has fulfilled the requirements for the award of the title of Assistant Professor.

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(5)

Where the evaluation results in a negative outcome, the decision shall be notified to the candidate by the Rector’s Office together with its reasons.

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(6)

In cases where the procedure concerning the academic title is to be undertaken within one of the University’s Schools or Higher Schools, the procedures set out in paragraphs (2) and (3) shall be conducted by the School Director, who shall act as the chair of the jury.

 

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(7)

All procedures specified above shall be finalized within a maximum period of six months from the date of the candidate’s application. A candidate whose application is rejected shall be entitled to reapply in the third academic semester following the semester in which the notification is issued.

 

 

 

 

PART VII

VISITING ACADEMIC STAFF

Visiting Academic Staff

15.

(1)

In some special situations, some temporary appointments can be made under the titles of “Visiting Assistant Professor”, “Visiting Associate Professor”, or “Visiting Professor”.

(2)

The method of appointment to the Visiting Academic Staff position is made under the following circumstances:

(a)

During the first appointment, the candidate not fulfilling the criteria specified in Article 6.

(b)

Titles obtained outside the Eastern Mediterranean University not being equal to the titles specified within the University.

(c)

To aid the process of the employment of the academic staff who are difficult to find in special fields to be brought to the University under special conditions.

(d)

A member of the academic staff who cannot receive a scale increment for three consecutive years or who fails to fulfill scale increment requirements can change his/her existing title to the “visiting academic staff” title which is equivalent to the title currently held. Such academic staff’s salary, however, is equal to the salary of a lower academic title/rank.

(3)

Appointments to “the visiting academic staff” status are made upon the recommendation of the relevant dean or director and approved by the Rector’s Office.

(4)

The maximum duration of contractual period for the visiting academic staff position is one year. Upon the recommendation of the relevant dean or the director, the contract of the visiting academic staff can be extended.

(5)

Salary and other rights of each visiting academic staff are determined by the Rector’s Office separately upon the recommendation of the relevant dean or the director. Salary specified for the relevant visiting academic staff can be more or less than the salaries of the academic staff who have the same salary scale or at an equivalent rank.

(6)

Members of the visiting academic staff who fulfill the requirements specified in sections IV, V and VI, may be appointed to main/normal staff positions without having to wait for their contract to expire.

 

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PART VIII

EQUIVALENCY OF THE TITLES

Equivalency of Academic Titles Obtain in Other Countries

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16.

(1)

For faculty members to be appointed to Eastern Mediterranean University for the first time, the compatibility and equivalence of the academic titles held at their previous institutions with the EMU Academic Evaluation Criteria, and accordingly the academic title to be used at the University, shall be determined by ADEK.

(2)

Applicants who apply for external vacant positions and who, as a result of ADEK’s compatibility and equivalence assessment, are determined to hold an academic title higher than that required for the applied position shall be appointed to the vacant position for which they applied. However, such individuals may use at the University only the academic title determined by ADEK through its compatibility and equivalence assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART IX

FINAL PROVISIONS

Executive Power

17.

This by-law is executed by the Eastern Mediterranean University Board of Trustees.

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18.

As soon as these regulations come into effect, former “Eastern Mediterranean University Academic Staff Title By-law” (reference number: 363/1991) is repealed.

Coming into Force

19.

This Regulation comes into force following its publication in the Official Gazette.