A Social Innovation Model Cooperation Signing Ceremony was held between Üsküdar University and the Turkish Research and Development Foundation (TARGEV). The protocol aims to help young people discover their talents, give meaning to their life journeys, and grow into productive individuals with a sense of social contribution. Within this framework, mentorship programs, talent workshops, and social innovation camps will be organized. In addition, joint research and scientific studies are planned to provide lasting contributions to the social innovation ecosystem. The project brings together academia, civil society, and the private sector, creating an exemplary bridge for young people.
The signing ceremony was held at Üsküdar University’s Main Campus Senate Hall and was attended by President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, TARGEV Foundation President Mustafa Serdar, Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator and Director of the Young Minds Academy Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Head of the Department of Family Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine Asst. Prof. Ayhan Özşahin, Assoc. Prof. Abdullah Ballı, Dr. Serdar Özkaya, Melik Fırat İlhan, Doğukan Taşlıdağ, and young project volunteers.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Universities are not just institutions that provide vocational training”
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan delivered a speech as part of the cooperation protocol. Tarhan said, “Universities are not just institutions that provide vocational training. In fact, universities have four main functions. The first is to provide professional education. The second is research and development activities, which require an innovative and entrepreneurial perspective. The third function is to inform society, meaning that it is not enough to produce knowledge and leave it in academic publications; that knowledge must be shared with society to raise public awareness. Universities should not be disconnected from society but should interact with it. Institutions that fulfill these four functions are what we call new-generation universities. The fourth and perhaps the most important function is transforming knowledge into products. The knowledge produced should be put into practice and reflected in real life through structures such as startups, spin-offs, and incubation centers. In this way, knowledge ceases to be an abstract concept and turns into a tangible value that serves humanity. This process is also at the very center of talent mentoring.”
“First, one must be a talent hunter”
Emphasizing the importance of talent scouting, Tarhan said, “In management sciences, to manage talent, one must first become a talent hunter. Talent hunting is similar to butterfly catching. Butterfly catchers step aside and carefully observe, searching for the most unique and beautiful butterfly. When they find it, they gently take it without harming it, protect it, and nurture it. Over time, they even try to develop and multiply that species. Talent management is like that. If you say, ‘I will just sit here and let talent find me,’ that talent will never find you. Instead of waiting passively, you must actively explore. Managing talent is as important as discovering it. Guiding a talented person correctly and placing the right person in the right position is of great importance. This is only possible through careful observation. There are many career tests, but they can only help to a certain extent. The real determinant is one’s power of observation and ability to understand people.”
“Mentorship is not just guidance but a great responsibility”
Stating that the project carries great responsibility, Tarhan said, “Mentorship is not just guidance but also a great responsibility. A wrong direction can cause a talent to be wasted. Therefore, launching special projects and carrying out studies in this field is very valuable. These are the first steps of a promising journey. Hopefully, these efforts will evolve into well-defined projects where their openings, processes, and outcomes will be discussed. Through such projects, it is possible to reach and make a difference in the lives of many young people.”
Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We attach great importance to social projects”
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör also spoke at the signing ceremony. Emphasizing the importance of social projects, Güngör said, “With the protocol we are signing today, I hope we will together make meaningful contributions to society and humanity. Such social projects are very important to us because we believe that university campuses should no longer remain closed within themselves. It is of great importance that all kinds of knowledge produced in campuses, laboratories, classrooms, and lecture halls are transformed into real-life applications and social contributions. Therefore, it is extremely valuable to cooperate and engage with social institutions, non-governmental organizations, and institutions that serve society.”
Mustafa Serdar: “Üsküdar’s academic strength and our field experience come together”
TARGEV Foundation President Mustafa Serdar delivered a speech at the signing ceremony. Serdar said, “This collaboration is a powerful mentorship initiative that will enable young people to look to the future with hope. We are combining Üsküdar University’s academic strength with our practical field experience.”
Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar: “Young people will be equipped with a sense of social responsibility”
Speaking at the event, Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator and Director of the Young Minds Academy Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar said, “Through the Talent Mentorship model, young people will be equipped with life skills, value-based thinking, and a sense of social responsibility. Our university will manage this process within a scientific, innovative, and socially beneficial framework.”
Following the speeches, the signing ceremony was held.
Young people will be encouraged to discover their interests
The protocol, which brings together Üsküdar University’s academic expertise and TARGEV Foundation’s field experience, allows young people to contribute both to their personal development and to society.
As part of the project, mentorship programs, talent workshops, and social innovation camps will be organized to help young people discover their areas of interest. In addition, joint research and scientific studies will aim to provide lasting contributions to the field of social innovation.
At the signing ceremony, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented sets of his authored books as gifts to the participants, and the program concluded with a presentation and a group photo.
