Turkish Cypriots receive their MBAs by the Queen at a Buckingham Palace

Two Turkish Cypriots were awarded MBAs by the Queen at a Buckingham Palace awards ceremony yesterday.

Sittika Nazım, a Conference Organiser at the University of London Institute of Education became the first Turkish speaking woman to receive an honour from the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June.

She is joined in her new rank by fashion designer Hussein Chalayan, who is recognised for his services to the fashion industry.

Sittika Nazım, who has worked at the University of London since 1975, received the honour just six months before her retirement, for services to Higher Education.

She was put forward for an award by the University after working tirelessly on the Institute’s conference services, where she organised high level conventions for the likes of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.

Mrs Nazım said: "It was a very emotional moment when I first received the news, and it is especially nice to have my work recognised in this way so close to my retirement. I am honoured to be the first Turkish speaking woman to receive such an award and accept it on behalf of the whole community."

Fashion designer Chalayan, who is also Patron of Turkish Cypriot Human Rights group Embargoed!, has previously received numerous awards within the fashion industry.

He made headlines last year after actively promoting the issue of embargoes on North Cyprus at his Paris fashion show.

The two Turkish Cypriots joined names such as Darcy Bussell, Prima Ballerina, and Esther Rantzen, TV presenter, on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, which was announced in June.

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