Girne American University was founded in 1985. Starting small with seven students, our university has become a powerful university with over 18,000 students today, just 32 years later. Since its opening, GAU has signed cooperation agreements with universities in North America and Europe. GAU is one of the first universities in Cyprus to be recognized by YÖK (Turkish Council of Higher Education). Following this, our university was recognized by YÖDAK (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Council of Higher Education). These developments were followed by numerous programs, accreditations and international memberships.
Girne American University began to develop in the international higher education sector in 1995. Since then, educational partnerships have been established in India, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Poland, Russia, Belarus, USA, United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Hong Kong. These partnerships help our students get to know and learn about different cultures; while also including student exchange programs to enable them to develop themselves and broaden their horizons.
The founders' goal is to provide society with knowledgeable, talented, creative and educated individuals. Our university currently provides education in 66 undergraduate, 41 graduate and 19 doctoral programs in 6 colleges, 10 faculties, 2 institutes and 13 different vocational schools in the global world's rising professions of Maritime, Aviation, Performing Arts, Law, Advanced Engineering Disciplines and Fine Arts as well as Architecture, Interior Architecture, International Business, International Relations, Psychology, Psychological Counseling and Guidance. As of the 2012-2013 academic year, it has also started education in the departments of Turkish Law, Chinese Language and Literature, Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Classroom Teaching, Health Management, Occupational Therapy, Energy Systems Engineering, Midwifery, Civil Engineering and Civil Aviation Transportation Management with the approval of the YÖK. Preparations are ongoing for the new departments planned to be opened in the 2017-2018 academic year.
During its 32-year historical development, GAU has tried to make effective use of the latest developments in technology and teaching methods. It has the highest rate of academicians with doctorates in relation to the number of students and the highest computer capacity in relation to the number of students. GAU, which is the pioneer of innovations in education, broadcasts selected lessons and seminars to help our students with their lessons with its television (GAU TV) and radio (GAU FM).