European University of Lefke (EUL), a higher education institution located in the Northern Cyrus, sponsored a two-day education program on “Patient Assessment and Clinical Applications in Respiratory Care” on June 20-21, 2015. This is the first Cyprus University that received approval from the International Education Recognition System (IERS). Since Dr. Mehmet Ali Yukselen, President of EUL, is committed to maintaining international standards of excellence, the university continues to be a top quality university according to the European standards. Therefore, the EUL applied for the International Education Recognition System (IERS) that was developed by the International Council for Respiratory Care; in order to ensure that the program meet international standards in respiratory therapy education. After comprehensive evaluation of IERS on the content and evaluation system of the program; as well as the qualifications of the faculty, the program was approved by IERS, and EUL has become the first university that received the IERS approval and recognition in Cyprus.

Mr. Musa Muhtaroglu, 2015 International Fellow of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and President of Cyprus Association for Physical Therapist, initiated this program and spent countless hours in the preparation of the program with Dr. Ruhi Selcuk Tabak, Dean, College of Health Sciences, and Dr. Ozhan Oztug, Director of Vocational School of Health Services at EUL.

Dr. Arzu Ari, Mr. Musa Muhtaroglu and Mrs. Seniha Ugurlu, 2012 International Fellow of AARC; were the instructors of the program who used different teaching strategies – such as lectures, group discussions, and workshops – in order to foster participants’ learning on patient education and clinical applications in respiratory care. To determine the effectiveness of the program, the knowledge of participants was evaluated through an exam, that was given before and after the program. Findings of the pre- and post-test scores showed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge on respiratory care. Both the satisfaction of participants and effectiveness of the program were evaluated using a survey. The analysis of surveys completed by participants revealed high satisfaction with the program, instructor, teaching materials and delivery techniques used in the program.

Through the IERS recognition, this program provides good evidence that hardworking individuals an contribute to the high quality respiratory care education in a worldwide-recognized university like the EUL.