Within the scope of the Social Responsibility course conducted during the 2025 to 2026 Fall semester at the Vocational School of Health Services of Üsküdar University, many qualified projects aimed at benefiting society were implemented by students from the Pharmacy Services Program and the Home Patient Care Program. Within the course led by Instructor Berhan Özdemir Eroğlu, Head of the Pharmacy Services Program, students carried their professional knowledge and skills into the field through projects developed around themes such as health awareness, social solidarity, accessibility, environmental sensitivity, and social awareness, while also gaining a strong sense of social responsibility.
Projects carried out by Pharmacy Services Program students particularly highlighted public health and social support.
Social responsibility awareness experienced in the field
Within the scope of the “Aid and Solidarity for Families in Need” project, students contributed to strengthening the culture of solidarity by providing food assistance to families in need. The project enabled students to experience social responsibility awareness directly in the field. Pharmacy Services Program students Nadire Nur Demir, Batuhan Yılmazer, and Samet Altındağ took part in the project.
Increasing awareness of blood donation in society
The project titled “Hope Comes with Blood,” which aimed to increase awareness of blood donation in society, along with volunteer activities carried out at the Turkish Red Crescent, emphasized the importance of regular blood donation. Through volunteer efforts, students drew attention to the continuity of blood stocks. Pharmacy Services Program students Nisanur Demirbaş, Betül Aş, and Sılanur Koç participated in the project.
Creating a shared production environment beyond barriers through art
Within the “Barrier Free Colors” project, a painting workshop organized together with individuals with disabilities was implemented as an exemplary activity promoting inclusive social interaction. Through art, the project created a shared environment of production beyond barriers. Azra Meryem Kılıç from the Pharmacy Services Program took part in the project.
Preventing unconscious drug use
Within the scope of the project titled “Not More Medicine but the Right Medicine Heals,” which aimed to raise awareness about rational drug use, students prepared informative brochures and distributed them in pharmacies. The project aimed to contribute to preventing unconscious medication use. Ravza Nur Tahmisoğlu from the Pharmacy Services Program participated in the project.
Projects carried out by students of the Home Patient Care Program also stood out for addressing individual and public health from multiple perspectives.
Safety problems identified by students
Within the “Physical Accessibility and Safety Analysis on Campus and Surroundings” project, students identified accessibility and safety problems along routes within and around the university campus. The collected data were reported to contribute to creating a safer and more accessible environment. Home Patient Care Program students Ahmet Emin Aydınhan, Yunus Emre Erdal, and Serdar Yıldırım took part in the project.
Emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and accurate information
Within the framework of the “Reproductive Health Awareness Study,” informative boards were prepared on campus and brochures were distributed to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and accurate information. The study aimed to increase health literacy among university students. Home Patient Care Program students İrem Aktaş, Aleyna Aktaş, and Meryem Su İlbars participated in the project.
Drawing attention to social prejudices
Within the “Awareness Project on Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders,” community mental health centers were visited and interviews were conducted with patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals. Social prejudices were highlighted through informational boards and brochures. Home Patient Care Program students Ebrar Ar, Hale Kübra Toygar, and Busenur Canpolat took part in the project.
Contributing to environmental sustainability
Through the “Recycling and Awareness” project, recycling initiatives were launched at hospitals, dormitories, schools, and middle school levels. Students contributed to environmental sustainability through informative brochures, recycling bins, and creative applications. Home Patient Care Program students Fırat Akkaya, Nisa Koşar, Abdullah Öpengin, and İrem Nur Arslan participated in the project.
Raising awareness about food waste
Finally, within the “Share What Remains” project, surplus food from businesses that met hygiene standards was transformed into healthy feed for stray animals. At the same time, businesses and individuals were informed to raise awareness about food waste. Mevlüt Cesur from the Home Patient Care Program took part in the project.
An educational approach strengthened by social awareness
The projects carried out within the Social Responsibility course enabled students to integrate their professional identities with social awareness.
Through hands on applications connected with real life, students also had the opportunity to experience that healthcare services are not only an individual matter but also an area of social responsibility.