Led by the Community Engagement Coordination Office of Üsküdar University and organized in cooperation with the Department of Health, Culture and Sports (SKS), the 3rd Consultation Meeting was held under the theme “A Society Strengthened by Youth.”
The meeting focused on young people’s active role in community engagement processes, their sense of social responsibility, and approaches to sustainable development. Within this framework, gifts were presented to student clubs by Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, President of Üsküdar University.
The meeting took place at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall at Üsküdar University’s Main Campus and was attended by President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Halide İncekara and Serdar Karagöz, Sadık Paksoy, Head of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports, Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Community Engagement Coordinator, İshak Koçoğlu, Member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Assembly, Dr. Mehmet Metin, Board Member of Doctors Worldwide, as well as many academics and students.
During the meeting, the added value created by young people in society and their sense of social responsibility were emphasized. Active youth participation was highlighted as a key component of a strong social structure.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Community engagement transforms knowledge into wisdom”
In his speech, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that community engagement reflects a civilization-centered approach that places people at its core, emphasizing that raising young people with a sense of meaning and responsibility forms the foundation of a strong society.
Stressing that universities should not only produce knowledge but also transform it into social benefit, Tarhan said: “One of the most important responsibilities of universities is not merely to generate knowledge, but to combine it with wisdom and use it for the good of society. When knowledge does not translate into behavior and social benefit, a university remains nothing more than a production factory. The Ahi Guild system in the Ottoman era is one of the best examples of this understanding. The practice of assigning butchers to gardening for one month each year in order to keep compassion and moral values alive shows how knowledge and profession were integrated with conscience. Today, universities must question what the knowledge they produce contributes to society and how it transforms human behavior. Community engagement activities serve as a bridge that enables knowledge to evolve into wisdom.”
Tarhan also highlighted the importance of project culture, noting that experiential learning leads to lasting knowledge.
“Social responsibility activities enable youth to learn by experience”
Emphasizing the need to expand project-based learning, Tarhan stated: "Projects, student clubs, and social responsibility activities allow young people to learn by living the knowledge. A project culture brings with it a structured approach where inputs, outputs, and social impact are clearly defined. The widespread adoption of project-based learning in education strengthens students’ analytical thinking, responsibility-taking, and contribution to society. The enthusiasm and sense of responsibility shown by young people in this process clearly demonstrate that universities carry not only an academic but also a human and social mission.”
Sadık Paksoy: “We value young people engaging directly with society”
Speaking at the event, Sadık Paksoy, Head of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports, stated that volunteerism and social responsibility activities carried out within the university contribute to the multidimensional development of young people.
“As SKS, we value young people engaging with society through social, cultural, and volunteer activities. We are pleased to see that community engagement efforts at our university directly contribute to the development of students’ life skills,” he said.
Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar: “Community engagement is a civilization-centered approach”
The opening speech of the meeting was delivered by Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Community Engagement Coordinator at Üsküdar University. She emphasized that universities are not only institutions that produce academic knowledge but also structures that transform society and place young people at the center.
“Community engagement is a civilization-centered approach that puts people first. Universities do not only provide professions, they also instill values. Raising young people with a sense of meaning and responsibility is the cornerstone of a strong society,” she said.
İshak Koçoğlu: “We consider these bridges extremely valuable”
İshak Koçoğlu, Member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Assembly, underlined the importance the business world places on community engagement activities and noted that strong collaborations with universities create new opportunities for young people.
“As the business community, we find these bridges established between young people and universities extremely valuable. Community engagement is also the conscience of economic development. Active youth participation in this process is the strongest investment in the future,” he stated.
Gifts presented to student clubs.
Following the speeches, gifts were presented to representatives of the following student clubs:
- Youth Club
- Intercultural Club
- Turkish Red Crescent Club
- Young Doctors Worldwide Club
- Scientific Research Club
- Industry and Leadership Club
- IEEE Student Branch
- Rare Diseases Club
- History Club
- Scenario-Based First Aid and Safety Club
The event concluded with a group photo session.