INTRODUCTION

The agricultural and food sector of Northern Cyprus is going to be in a state of transition due to the new socioeconomic environment created by possible EU membership under the umbrella of Federal States of Cyprus.

 

The new environment, together with the liberalization of the international trade, exerts a strong competitive pressure on raw and processed agricultural products of the Northern Cyprus, both in the European and the local market.

 

 

In order to adjust to the new environment, and thus ensure its survival and further development within the EU, the agricultural sector of Northern Cyprus must improve its competitiveness by reducing its costs of production and by improving the quality of its products.

 

The same problems and challenges exist for the food and beverage industry, which at present, is the most important and dynamic sub-sector of the processing industry of Northern Cyprus.

 

The required increased competitiveness of the agri-food sector can only be achieved through modernization and technological upgrading of agricultural and livestock enterprises, as well as of food and beverage units.

 

In both the primary (agricultural) and secondary (industrial) food production sectors, it is absolutely essential to introduce new production methods that would ensure sustainable use of natural and biological resources, food quality and safety, mitigation of negative effects on the environment and biodiversity, animal health and welfare, as well as other requirements of the European  and world markets.

Particular attention should be paid to the development of new products, the utilization of the competitive advantages offered by traditional products of Northern Cyprus and the need for major improvements in storage, packing, standardization and transport of agri-food products.

 

It is also important to carry out market research on a regular basis, in order to ensure timely response of production to continuously changing consumer preferences, and to adopt new and effective methods and practices for promotion and marketing of agri-food commodities.

Considering the problems, prospects and challenges which will result from North Cyprus’ membership to the EU and with the objective to contribute to the required modernization and technological transformation of the North’s agri-food sector, the Mesarya Technical University is going to establish, for the first time in Northern Cyprus, the Department of Agricultural, Biotechnology and Food Science.

 

 

 

 

The Department offers a four year B.Sc. degree in three basic areas of agricultural and food

sciences:

1. Crop Science and Technology,
2. Animal and Dairy Science and
3. Food Science and Technology.

 

The research programmes and the course curricula in all three specialization options focus on the development and adoption of new scientific methods and technological applications.

Particular attention is given to cutting-edge research areas, such as the field of modern

Biotechnology and its multiple applications in plant and animal production, the food industry, and the environment through an ecosystem services based approach.

 

Within the context of the Lisbon strategy, a new concept of Agricultural Economy has been

 

 

 

 

developed in the EU, the “Knowledge-based Bio economy”, which integrates in a sustainable way modern crop and animal production, fisheries and aquaculture, food industry and biotechnology. In this regard, the Department’s main role is to generate through its research programmes and to disseminate through its educational programmes the necessary knowledge base and technology required for the development and promotion of modern bio-economy in Northern Cyprus.

          

Mission and Vision

The mission of The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science at Mesarya Technical University is to provide excellent education and advance training that prepares students for improving the health and welfare of plants, people and environment we share. The teaching, research and service programs of the Faculty will benefit the plants, people and the nature through promotion of plant health and production, food hygiene, conservation of plant resources and protection of public health.

 

 

 

The vision of the Faculty is to become an internationally recognized, research oriented

department, of top choice, for undergraduate and graduate education in Agricultural and Food Sciences and Biotechnology.

 

Our ultimate goal is to inspire both staff and students and we cherish the values of integrity, creativity, openness and academic freedom.

 

The objectives and structure of Bachelor of Agricultural, Biotechnology and Food Science 

 

The main objective of the Department is to produce through high-quality research and disseminate through top quality education the necessary scientific knowledge and technological applications, enabling the sustainable development and improved competitiveness of Northern Cyprus’ agri-food sector.

 

Sustainable rural development with respect to natural and biological resources, socio-economic development of the rural population and preservation of the environmental and cultural characteristics of North Cyprus’ countryside is also a major objective of the Department.

 

The Specific Aims of the Department are:

• To attract and retain outstanding students, faculty and staff,
• To provide high quality education in Agricultural and Food Sciences and Biotechnology for undergraduate and graduate students from North Cyprus, Turkey and neighbouring countries, including EU countries,
• To perform innovative and relevant research that would advance the frontiers of Agricultural , Food Sciences , Biotechnology and ensure sustainable development of the knowledge-based bio-economy,
• To maintain a close collaboration with the Agri-Food sector (public and private), including farmers associations, food industries and animal production units, at both the national and European level, with a view to develop into an internationally recognized research and education centre.
• To promote sustainable rural development that prospects natural and biological resources maintains and enhances ecosystem services, and protects the environment
• To promote international cooperation and students / teachers mobility, especially in the EU
• To provide the basis for the promotion of life-long learning.

The Department consists of three divisions, namely,

• 1. Crop Science and Technology,
  2. Animal and Dairy Science and
  3. Food Science and Technology, which offer respective Specialization options.

 

 

 

 

 

The Crop Science and Technology Division focuses on enhancing crop production quantitatively and qualitatively with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in crop produce and increasing competitiveness at European and global level. The promotion of scientific knowledge and the development of research are directed towards two major areas:

1.  Improvement of production and quality of cultivated plants (fruit crops, vegetables, flowers and ornamentals, and vines) by the development and adoption of new, improved cultivars and cultural practices.
2. Development and implementation of effective and ecologically acceptable methods of crop production and protection.

 

The Animal and Dairy Science division aims to support the most important agricultural export of Northern Cyprus, the Halloumi cheese and other high quality animal products. The division is focusing on scientific research and high level education in animal breeding and genetics, reproduction, nutrition, hygiene and management of farm animals (cattle, sheep and goats, swine, poultry), as well as processing, chemistry and microbiology of animal food products. The advancement of basic and applied research for the development of know-how and technology that contributes to the profitability and competitiveness of the livestock industry and the quality of animal products is top priority.

 

The Food Science and Technology Specialization focuses on scientific research and high level education for producing safe, healthy and tasty food. Innovations and new practical processes that offer significant benefits to consumers, industry and society, either in the products or in the production chain will be sought.

Significant directions are:

1. Food process and bioprocess engineering.
2. Food chemistry, food physics and food microbiology.
3. Product design and quality management studies.

 

All three divisions will participate in future an MSc programme in Biotechnology offering the possibility of specialization in Plant, Animal or Food Biotechnology.

 

In addition, in future, the Department will offer Ph.D. programs in all three Specializations.

The programme of study will provide a general foundation in natural sciences, basic education in agricultural biosciences and specialized scientific training in three Specialization options:

a) CROP SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGIES

b) FOOD SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGIES

c) ANIMAL and MILK SCIENCES

 

The general foundation in natural sciences and the basic education in agricultural biosciences are mainly offered during the first three semesters, which are common to all students of the Department.

 

In addition, during these semesters the curriculum includes introductory courses to the three specialization options, aiming at providing students with the background information and understanding required to choose their direction of study, depending on their interests and particular professional objectives.

 

In the fourth year, students of all three options are required to take courses in Agricultural Economics and Management and to carry out a research project under the supervision of staff members of the Department for award of the B.Sc. degree of the Department of Agricultural, Biotechnology and Food Science, students are required to complete               240 Credit Units, in the context of the CREDIT system.

 

The B.Sc. degree requirements could be summarized as follows:

A. Courses common to all students (mainly the first three semesters) General foundation in natural sciences: 27 CREDIT

Basic education in agricultural biosciences:                                                     62 CREDIT

Foreign language:                                                                                             8 CREDIT.

B. Specialization options (4th to 8th semester)

Specialized scientific training:                                                                        96- 102 CREDIT *

Courses in economics and management:                                                        10 CREDIT

Elective courses:                                                                                            18-24 CREDIT *

Practical training (summer session between 3rd and 4^th year):                     5 CREDIT

B.Sc. thesis (4th year):                                                                                  10 CREDIT

*There are slight differences between different Specialization options.

This guarantees you the very best practical experience of animal husbandry, farm management and machinery operation.

All courses will be taught by industry experienced specialist lecturers by using working laboratories, animal housing, machinery, equipment and workshops.

As well as learning in the classroom students will develop their knowledge of all areas of the farm so that students will be able to run their own farm or gain employment within agriculture or a related industry.

If students become a full-time residential student at Mesarya Technical University they will be thoroughly involved in the activities of the farm.

 

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.

 

Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Mesarya Technical University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle.

 

Consistent with this expectation, students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

 

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others

 

A lack of knowledge or understanding of the University’s Academic Integrity policy and the types of actions it prohibits and/or requires does not excuse one from complying with the policy.

 

Mesarya Technical University and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences take violations of academic integrity very seriously.

Faculty, alumni, staff and fellow students expect each student to uphold the University’s standards of academic integrity both inside and outside of the classroom.

 

Program Language

All theoretical, practical courses and seminars will be presented in English

 

Scholarship Availability

Four years Student Enrolment Plan and scholarship programme of the faculty is given on Table 1.

 

Academic Establishment	Academic inauguration	Student quota  (with tuition)	Student quota              ( with % 100 scholarship)	Student quota           ( with % 50 scholarship)	Student  quota                ( with % 25 scholarship )	Total
Faculty of  Natural & Agricultural Science	2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 2024-2025	50 50 60 60	4 4 6 6	6 6 8 8	10 10 10 10	70 70 84 84

 

Table.1 . Four years enrolment and scholarship program of the Faculty of Natural & Africultural Science