Cooperation protocol signed between Üsküdar University and Şerife Bacı Foundation

A cooperation protocol was signed between Üsküdar University and Şerife Bacı Foundation. Within the scope of the cooperation, inspired by Şerife Bacı’s sacrifice during the National Struggle period, common projects in the fields of social responsibility, education, culture, and social innovation are planned to be developed. With the Şerife Bacı Museum Project, one of the important aspects of the cooperation, it is aimed to transfer Şerife Bacı's story and the memory of the National Struggle to future generations, and to create a living culture and education center.

The ceremony held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Senate Hall was attended by President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Şerife Bacı Foundation Fatma Kıranoğlu, as well as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Şerife Bacı Foundation Recep Çetinkaya, Chairman of Ahde Vefa Platform Nuran Kırlak, Chairman of the Ministry of Agriculture EU Experts Board Yakup Sağlam, Beykoz Municipality Deputy Mayors Mehmet Hüsrev and Sedat Altun, UCLG-MEWA President Dr. Mehmet Duman, Chief Physician of Yedikule Chest Diseases Hospital Prof. Nurettin Yiğit, Head of Administrative Affairs and Finance Department of Marmara Urban Transformation General Directorate Recep Albayrak, Chairman of Traffic Foundation Sudi Topal, Chairman of Science and Virtue Foundation Mahmut Ekşi, ITO Council Member İshak Koçoğlu, Architect Feza Ökten Koca, Director of Vedat Tek Culture Museum İlknur Aynan, and Chairman of Final Alumni Association Mete Murat.

The program was moderated by Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator and Young Brains Academy Director Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Şerife Bacı is a symbolic name who set an example for the Anatolian people”

President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan drew attention to the symbolic importance of Şerife Bacı during the National Struggle period, emphasizing the spirit carried by Kastamonu. Tarhan stated:

“The Şerife Bacı Foundation was established in 2023. Actually, I read this as 1923. Because Şerife Bacı is a sister who became a martyr during the 1920 War of Independence by freezing to death and leaving her clothes over the ammunition. She is a symbolic name who set an example for the Anatolian people. It is very important to keep this symbolic name alive. In fact, it represents the spirit of Kastamonu. Just as there is the spirit of Çanakkale, there is also the spirit of Kastamonu in this way. Because a significant part of the cadres in the National Struggle were from Kastamonu. There are also many people from Kastamonu among the Çanakkale martyrs. For this reason, just as Kastamonu was the founder of the Ottoman Empire, there was a people there who also founded the Republic in that period. Therefore, I consider Kastamonu as a spirit that has embraced, sustained, and continued the National Pact (Misak-ı Millî) the most, and as a founder of our Republic. For this reason, I always consider Kastamonu as a symbol. As Üsküdar University, we have carried out various joint studies. All of them yielded very good results, projects started, we got their outputs and good outcomes. I believe this will hopefully realize itself beautifully as a social responsibility project, a social innovation project.”

“Everyone learns in social responsibility projects”

Tarhan stated that social responsibility projects contribute not only to society but also to the development of those involved in the projects; “Everyone learns in social responsibility projects. These projects work like a learning organism. Students also become part of the projects, develop themselves, and there is a transfer of experience. Seniors also unknowingly learn many things. One of the biggest diseases of this era is that there is social media but no social contact. These projects also enable people to socialize. These projects are national motivation projects. They mobilize society. The word motivation alone does not express anything, but for someone who has a goal, who has a future plan and has it with their habits, motivation is important as a starting point. First, there must be a common goal. Without a goal, there is no motivation. If there is a goal, a person has a purpose. If there is a purpose, a desire arises. When desire arises, a need emerges. When a need emerges, self-realization, self-mobilization occurs, and what we call motivation arises.”

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “Our University attaches special importance to social responsibility projects”

Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, drawing attention to the importance Üsküdar University attaches to social responsibility projects, explained the value of the projects and the bond established with Kastamonu. Güngör said; “Our University attaches special importance to social responsibility projects. Today, a very important social responsibility project is being launched here. Of course, this project, focused on a female hero who has a very important place in the country's history, has a very distinct value. The fact that it is Kastamonu-centric is also a very special situation. I have also visited Kastamonu many times before, while working at another university in Ankara. Therefore, I know the city well. For this reason, such an emotional bond has formed over the years.”

Fatma Kıranoğlu: “Inspired by our historical heritage, we established the Martyr Şerife Bacı Foundation”

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Şerife Bacı Foundation Fatma Kıranoğlu stated that Şerife Bacı's sacrifice during the National Struggle period is a symbol of the determination and solidarity of Anatolian women, and expressed their aim to establish a bridge between the past and the future.

Kıranoğlu; “Şerife Bacı’s story is not just a tale of heroism lived in the past for us. It is a symbol of the determination, solidarity, and sense of responsibility of Anatolian women who showed great sacrifices for their homeland and nation, in the name of independence, during the National Struggle period. Inspired by this historical heritage, we established the Martyr Şerife Bacı Foundation. We aimed to bring together civil society volunteers from different regions of our country, especially Kastamonu, around a common vision, and to produce sustainable social benefit in the fields of education, health, culture, and aid. The cooperation we will realize today is an important partnership. We believe that we can develop more qualified and sustainable projects where scientific knowledge, academic experiences, and social needs in the field meet simultaneously.”

With the protocol, which constitutes a strong example of university-civil society cooperation; it is aimed to create social innovation models that not only identify societal problems but also produce measurable, applicable, and sustainable solutions for these problems.

Signatures were cast

Following the opening speeches, the protocol signing ceremony commenced. President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Şerife Bacı Foundation Fatma Kıranoğlu signed the cooperation protocol.

An important step for Şerife Bacı Museum

One of the most remarkable items of the protocol was the Şerife Bacı Museum Project.

With the museum project, it is aimed to transfer Şerife Bacı's courage, sacrifice, and patriotism demonstrated during the National Struggle to future generations.
Beyond being a classical museum where historical artifacts are displayed, the Şerife Bacı Museum is intended to be designed as a living, teaching, thought-provoking, and inspiring cultural memory center for new generations.

At the end of the program, a cake cutting ceremony took place to celebrate the cooperation protocol.

The protocol ceremony concluded with a group photo session.