A Social Innovation Model Collaboration Signing Ceremony was held between Üsküdar University and the Turkish Research and Development Foundation (TARGEV). The protocol aims for young people to discover their talents, make their life journeys meaningful, and grow into productive individuals with a sense of social contribution. Within this scope, mentorship programs, talent workshops, and social innovation camps will be organized. Furthermore, lasting contributions to the social innovation ecosystem are planned through joint research and scientific studies. The project brings together academia, civil society, and the private sector, creating an exemplary bridge for young people.
The cooperation signing ceremony, held in the Üsküdar University Central Campus Senate hall, was attended by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, TARGEV Foundation President Mustafa Serdar, Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator and Young Brains Academy Director Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar, Faculty of Medicine Family Medicine Department Head Dr. Lecturer Ayhan Özşahin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Ballı, Dr. Serdar Özkaya, Melik Fırat İlhan and Doğukan Taşlıdağ, and young project volunteers.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Universities do not only have the function of providing a profession”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered his speech within the scope of the cooperation protocol. Tarhan stated; “Universities do not only have the function of providing a profession. In fact, a university has four main functions. The first is to provide a profession. The second is research and development, which means R&D activities. This requires an innovative and entrepreneurial perspective. The third function is to inform society. In other words, it is not just about producing knowledge and leaving it in academic publications, but about sharing that knowledge with society and creating social awareness. Universities should not be detached from society but should interact with it. We call institutions that fulfill these four functions next-generation universities. The fourth and perhaps most important function is the transformation of knowledge into a product. The knowledge produced must be put into practice and reflected in life through structures such as startups, spinoffs, and incubation centers. Thus, knowledge ceases to be an abstract concept and turns into a concrete value that serves humanity. This process is also at the very heart of talent mentoring.”
“One must first be a talent scout”
Emphasizing talent scouting, Tarhan said; “In management sciences, to manage talent, one must first be a talent scout. Talent scouting is similar to butterfly hunting. Butterfly hunters step aside and observe carefully, looking for the most special, most beautiful butterfly. When they find it, they gently take it without harming it, protect it, and keep it alive. They even try to develop and multiply that species over time. Talent management is similar. If you say, ‘I'll just sit here and let talent find me,’ that talent will not find you. So, instead of passively waiting, one must actively discover it. Managing talent is a separate process as much as finding it. Guiding a talented person correctly and placing the right person in the right job are of great importance. This is possible with good observation. There are many career tests, but tests only help to a certain extent. The main determining factor is a person's power of observation and ability to understand people.”
“Mentorship is not just guidance, but a great responsibility”
Stating that the project carries a great responsibility, Tarhan said; “Mentorship is not only guidance but also a great responsibility. Wrong guidance can lead to the waste of talent. Therefore, implementing special projects and working on this topic is very valuable. These are the first steps of a beautiful beginning, a journey. Hopefully, these efforts will turn into defined projects where their launch, processes, and outcomes will be discussed. It is possible to reach many young people with such projects.”
Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör: “Social projects are very important to us”
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör spoke at the signing ceremony. Emphasizing the importance of social projects, Güngör said; “With the protocol we will sign here, I hope we can all together make beautiful contributions to society and humanity. Such social projects are very important to us. Because we now believe that university campuses should not remain closed off to themselves. It is of great importance that all kinds of knowledge produced in campuses, laboratories, classrooms, and lecture halls are transformed into life and social contribution. Therefore, cooperation and interaction with social organizations, non-governmental organizations, and institutions serving society are extremely valuable.”
Mustafa Serdar: “Our field experience combines with Üsküdar’s academic power”
TARGEV Foundation President Mustafa Serdar delivered his speech at the signing ceremony. Serdar said; “This cooperation of ours is a strong mentorship movement that will enable young people to look to their future with hope. We are combining Üsküdar University’s academic power with our field experience.”
Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar: “Young people will be equipped with social responsibility awareness”
Speaking at the program, Social Contribution Coordinator, Young Brains Academy Director Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar stated; “With the Talent Mentoring model, young people will be equipped with life skills, value-oriented thinking, and social responsibility awareness. Our university will manage this process within a scientific, innovative, and social benefit-based framework.”
Following the speeches, the signing ceremony took place.
Young people will be enabled to discover their interests
The protocol, which brings together Üsküdar University's academic knowledge and TARGEV Foundation's field experience, enables young people to contribute to both their personal development and society.
Within the scope of the project, mentorship programs, talent workshops, and social innovation camps will be organized to help young people discover their interests. In addition, it is aimed to make lasting contributions to the field of social innovation through joint research and scientific studies.
During the organized cooperation signing ceremony, Tarhan presented participants with a set of books he authored, and the program concluded with presentations and a group photo session.
