Under the leadership of the Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordination Office, in cooperation with the Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department, the '3rd Consultation Meeting' was organized with the theme “A Society Strengthened with Youth”. During the meeting, the effectiveness of youth in social contribution processes, their understanding of social responsibility, and approaches to sustainable development were discussed, and within this scope, gifts were presented to student clubs by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
The meeting, held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall of Üsküdar University Central Campus, was attended by Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Rector's Advisor Halide İncekara, Rector's Advisor Serdar Karagöz, Head of Health, Culture and Sports Department Sadık Paksoy, Social Contribution Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Council Member İshak Koçoğlu and Doctors of the World Board Member Dr. Mehmet Metin, along with numerous academics and students.
During the meeting, the added value created by youth in society and their awareness of social responsibility were emphasized, while the active participation of youth was considered a key element of a strong social structure.
In his speech, Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that social contribution is a civilization understanding that puts humanity at its center, and that raising young people with a sense of meaning and responsibility forms the foundation of a strong society.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Social contribution efforts ensure the transformation of knowledge into wisdom”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that universities should not only produce knowledge but also transform this knowledge into social benefit. Tarhan said; “One of the most important duties of universities is not only to produce knowledge but also to use the produced knowledge for the good of society by combining it with wisdom. Where knowledge does not transform into behaviors and social benefit, a university cannot be more than just a factory producing output. The Ahi Brotherhood organization in the Ottoman Empire is one of the best examples of this understanding. Making butchers work as gardeners for one month a year to keep compassion and moral values alive shows that knowledge and profession are combined with conscience. Today, universities also need to question what the knowledge they produce contributes to society and how it transforms human behavior. Social contribution efforts serve as a bridge that enables the transformation of knowledge into wisdom precisely at this point.”
Tarhan also emphasized the importance of project culture, stating that learning by experience provides lasting knowledge for students.
“Social responsibility activities enable young people to learn knowledge by experiencing it”
Tarhan, stating that project-based learning should be increased, said; “Projects, club activities, and social responsibility efforts enable young people to learn knowledge by experiencing it. Project culture brings with it a work approach where input, output, and social impact are defined. The widespread adoption of project-based learning in the education system strengthens students' analytical thinking, responsibility-taking, and social contribution skills. The excitement and sense of responsibility shown by young people in this process is the most concrete indicator that universities undertake not only an academic but also a humanitarian and social mission.”
Sadık Paksoy: “We attach importance to young people touching society”
Speaking at the program, Sadık Paksoy, Head of the Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department of Üsküdar University, stated that volunteer and social responsibility activities carried out within the university contribute to the versatile development of young people. Paksoy said; “As SKS, we attach importance to young people touching society through social, cultural, and volunteer activities. We are happy to see that the social contribution activities carried out at our university directly contribute to the life skills of young people.”
Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar: “Social contribution is a civilization understanding that puts humanity at its center”
The opening speech of the meeting was delivered by Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar. In her speech, Yaşar pointed out that universities are not only institutions that produce academic knowledge, but also structures that transform society and center young people. Yaşar said; “Social contribution is a civilization understanding that puts humanity at its center. Universities do not only provide professions, they also provide values. Raising young people with a sense of meaning and responsibility is the foundation of a strong society.” With these words, she emphasized the importance of social contribution.
İshak Koçoğlu: “We find these established bridges very valuable”
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Council Member İshak Koçoğlu expressed the business world's emphasis on social contribution efforts, and stated that strong collaborations established with universities create new opportunities for young people. Koçoğlu said; “As the business world, we find these bridges built between young people and universities very valuable. Social contribution is also the conscience of economic development. The active participation of young people in this process is the strongest investment in the future.”
Gifts were presented to student clubs
Following the speeches,
- Youth Club,
- Intercultural Club,
- Red Crescent Club,
- Young Doctors of the World Club,
- Scientific Research Club,
- Industry and Leadership Club,
- IEEE Student Branch Club,
- Rare Diseases Club,
- History Club, and
- Scenario-Based First Health and Safety Club representatives were presented with their gifts.
The event concluded with a group photo.