Earthquake Volunteers Shared Their Experiences

Following the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, which affected 11 provinces and were described as the disaster of the century, the Üsküdar University family and volunteer students who went to Kahramanmaraş for support met with Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör in the senate hall.

Üsküdar University ranks 1st among universities on the Anatolian side in terms of sending the most volunteers to the earthquake region. Most of the aid provided to the earthquake region was carried out by student clubs under the university's Health, Culture and Sports Department. The clubs students were affiliated with included the AFAD Club, Red Crescent Club, Psychology Club, I Grew Up, I Became a Child Club, Outdoor Sports Club, and Metaverse and Entrepreneurship Club. 

Tarhan and Güngör received Üsküdar University members who carried out volunteer work in the earthquake region.

Üsküdar University students who carried out successful volunteer work were received by Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Chairman of the Executive Board Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör in the Senate Hall. 

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “This is a movement of volunteering and dedication”

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that he was deeply moved by the sensitivity shown by the students after the earthquake; “You have started a movement of kindness. This is a movement of volunteering and dedication. On the first day of the earthquake, even though we didn't say anything, you gathered among yourselves and prepared over 1500 packages. This is truly an important event, it has become an incredible series of memories that you will never forget in your university life and your own life. Let this also be a new beginning for you; your ability to use this intention, effort, and perspective in every positive and negative event in life is an amazing life experience and an important gain for you. These disasters and difficult conditions are a maturing process for young people.” he said. 

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Let's turn it into a book under the name of 'Earthquake Diary'”

Emphasizing students' ability to act as a team and in an organized manner, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said; “The biggest reason you can form this beautiful unity right now is your ability to organize. Since you can organize and work as a team, everyone is a part of this team. Therefore, some stand out more, while others remain more in the background, but ultimately, they are all part of this team. It is very important from this perspective to maintain this enthusiasm. As an institution, our duty is to create a platform and provide opportunities for such activities. For this movement of kindness to be permanent, we need to keep it alive on our digital platforms, we need to continue this movement so that it serves as an example for young people and as a reference for others to benefit from. Turning the experiences here into a documentary is really important; everyone should write down their experiences while they are fresh, and if necessary, we can even turn them into a book under the name of an earthquake diary.” he stated. 

Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “University means leading society”

Stating that Üsküdar University students have become models and leaders after the disaster of the century, Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör said; “I wish such an event and disaster hadn't happened, but when it does, it happens, friends. University means leading society, and we will do what is necessary in this direction, and you are doing it. I congratulate you for embracing this so much. You are an example to young people, an example to society, and a support to society.” she said.

Güngör: “Every student should put their experiences into writing”

Continuing her words regarding earthquake diaries, Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör said; “Every one of our friends should express their feelings because even though you have all seen the same environments, the emotional connection each of you forms is different. One of you might be affected by little Tuğba, another by a word from little Mehmet, so if you express these feelings personally in a few-page essay format, each of you will have a chapter. One of our strong-willed professors or friends will edit these essays, and we, as Üsküdar Publications, will publish them on our page in digital book format under the title 'Earthquake Diary'. In this way, we will make these experiences permanent.” she said.  

Met with Teknofest Finalists

Students of Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine Metaverse and Entrepreneurship Club participated in Teknofest with the “META-TIP” project. They scored 89.5 points at Teknofest and were among the finalists.

In the project team conducted under the advisorship of Dr. Cihan Taştan and Dr. Nebiye Yaşar from Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Project Captain Stj. Dr. Mustafa Şanverdi from Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, and Emre Kaan Şanverdi, a Computer Engineering student at Üsküdar University and Founding President of the Metaverse and Entrepreneurship Club, voluntarily participated in the work in the earthquake region. 

The meeting held in the Central Campus Senate Hall was attended by Üsküdar University Secretary General Şelçuk Uysaler, Director of Young Brains Academy Application and Research Center Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Secretary General of Haydi Tut Elimi Association Ayşe Banu Güncenci, Head of SKS Department Özcan Demir, Head of Corporate Communications Department Tahsin Aksu, SKS Manager Sadık Paksoy, Event Manager Dağhan Rasim Işık, SKS Event Specialist Meliha Merve Günaltay, and Media Relations Specialist Ayşe Nur Akçelik İlgeç. 

The event concluded with a group photo shoot. 

Photo: Mukadder Güneş / ÜHA