The premiere of the documentary about the world's first university "Nisibis Academy" in Nusaybin was held at the Mitanni Cultural Center. After a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, violinist Yağmur Badur from Nusaybin gave a concert at the gala. Rector of Istanbul Gelisim University Prof. Dr. Nail Öztaş stated that they were happy to do such a work in Nusaybin together with the Faculty of Fine Arts team, and that Nusaybin is a city that needs to be visited and studied with its historical and cultural places.
Expressing that the adventures of the world's first university Nisibis Academy and Mor Yakup Church in Nusaybin began as a result of a coincidence, Öztaş said, “This is a magnificent building. We, as Istanbul Gelisim University, wanted to introduce the beauties of Nusaybin on the one hand and help the careers of the young people on the other hand. In this context, we provided a three-day training to 25 high school students in the film workshop we opened. Our students who receive training in this workshop may take part in director, screenwriter, cameraman or film projects in the future. During the course, you should have seen the twinkle in our young people's eyes when their teachers were talking about the camera, the light and the script. I'm sure it turned out to be a very good documentary. Labor itself is very precious. As Istanbul Gelisim University, we are ready to give all kinds of support to our youth from Nusaybin."
“WORLD'S FIRST UNIVERSITY NISIBIS ACADEMY IS LOCATED IN MOR YAKUP CHURCH”
Nusaybin District Governor and Deputy Mayor Ercan Kayabaşı stated that Nusaybin has been mentioned negatively in the media from time to time, but it never deserved it, and said, “We are making a great effort with the Nusaybin District Governorship, Nusaybin Municipality and all stakeholders in the district to break this perception. The historical, cultural and touristic places in the district are not sufficiently introduced. Here, the world's first university, Nisibis Academy, is located in the Mor Yakup Church. Right next to it is the Zeynel Abidin Mosque, one of the grandchildren of our Prophet Muhammad. Our historical buildings, which are included in the UNESCO Temporary Acceptance List with the name Faith Park, almost symbolize the brotherhood of religions, languages and cultures that has been going on in these lands for centuries. We will introduce Nusaybin, the pearl of history and an ancient flower of civilization, first to Mardin, and then to the whole country. We will shout the beauties of our Nusaybin to all Anatolia. Be sure that Nusaybin is a place that will be shown as an example to all of Turkey with its historical beauties, natural beauties and most importantly with its human profile. I would like to thank Istanbul Gelisim University and the students who took part in the film workshop for the Nisibis documentary.”
After the speeches, behind-the-scenes interviews and documentary screenings of the documentary shot by 25 students were held. Rector of Istanbul Gelisim University Prof. Dr. Nail Öztaş, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts Prof. Dr. Güzin Ilıcak Aydınalp, Head of Communication Design Department Assoc. Prof. Nagihan Çakar Bikic, Dr. Emre Doğan, Director and Instructor Ahmet Bikic and Research Assistant Okan Kırbacı were given plaques, and certificates were given to the students who took part in the film workshop. Governor Ercan Kayabaşı, Istanbul Gelisim University Rector Nail Öztaş, Chief Public Prosecutor Hami Can, Mardin Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Sabahattin Genç, AK Party Mardin Provincial President Faruk Kılıç, public institutions and organizations managers, NGO representatives and citizens attended the gala.
