Suat İrfan Günsel (born 3 August 1952) is a Turkish Cypriot property developer, businessman and founder and 100% owner of Cyprus's private Near East University. In 2011, Forbes ranked him as the second richest person in Cyprus and the 1,140th richest person in the world with a net worth of $1 billion. Early life His father was İrfan Günsel, who died on 6 November 2015. He received a bachelor's degree in physics from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. Career The majority of his wealth comes from land owned in Cyprus and Turkey. Günsel built Cyprus's private Near East University (which he owns in its entirety) from 1988, funded by profits from "his property empire and other business interests". Günsel is president of Near East Bank. Personal life Günsel, is married with three children, and lives in Nicosia, Cyprus. Honorary doctorates Günsel has received honorary doctorates from the following universities: 2010 Comrat State University, Moldova 2010 Azerbaijan State University Azerbaijan 2011 Izhevsk International Eastern European University of Republic of Udmurtia, Udmurt Republic 2011 Odlar Yurdu University, Azerbaijan 2013 Crimean Engineering-pedagogical University, Crimea 2013 Baku Eurasian University, Azerbaijan 2016 Ardahan University 2016 Southern Federal University of Russia (IMBL) Awards and prizes Some awards and prizes given to Günsel are as follows; August 2009, awarded with the "Honorary Medal of Gagauzian Land" and honoured with the "Title of Notable Person" at the II. World Gagauzians Conference by the President of Gagauzia, Mihail Formuzal. December 2009, honoured with Golden Honour Medal by Gagauzia Autonomous Republic for his contributions to educational sector of Gagauzia Autonomous Republic. March 2010, awarded with "Outstanding Success" by the National Assembly of TRNC for his contributions and investments made for educational systems and health sectors of TRNC. October 2010, awarded for his contributions to Turkish speaking countries' culture and education with "Türksoy Golden Medal of Honour" in accordance with the decision taken at the conference of Organization of Common Directorate of International Turkish Culture and Arts by the Permanent Council of Ministers of Culture of Member Countries of TÜRKSOY (The International Organization of Turkic Culture). November 2010, appointed the "Plenary Ambassador of TRNC" through the common decision of the President Derviş Eroğlu and the National Assembly of TRNC. November 2010, awarded with the "Golden Honorary Plaquet" by the Centre of Islam, History, Art and Culture for his contributions to Islamic Conference Organization. February 2011, honoured with a "Medal