Strategic collaboration focused on neuroscience and R&D between Üsküdar University and Bilfen!

An important collaboration meeting was held between Üsküdar University and Bilfen Schools to encourage high school students' early participation in scientific research processes, develop their academic awareness in neuroscience, and support their active involvement in research and development (R&D) focused innovative projects. Within this scope, a memorandum of understanding was signed. In the meeting, conducted in line with Üsküdar University's strategic priorities in neuroscience, interdisciplinary scientific research, innovation, and project development, the aim was to enhance students' scientific thinking skills and establish a sustainable research ecosystem based on university-high school collaboration.

Mahmut Şişmanoğlu, Assistant Principal and Head of Mathematics Department at Bilfen Schools, Ebru Efe, Biology Teacher and Head of Neuroscience Club, and Taner Altunbaran, Head of Biology Department, attended the meeting. Üsküdar University was represented by Vice Rector Prof. Türker Tekin Ergüzel and ARGEYEP Director Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari Özay.

Academic knowledge in neuroscience to be transferred to high school students 

During the meeting, the academic knowledge of Üsküdar University, particularly in the fields of neuroscience, scientific research, and innovative technology development, was discussed in terms of how it could contribute to the scientific development of high school students. Within this scope, an agreement was reached on signing a collaboration protocol between the two institutions and supporting students' participation in national and international scientific project programs.

Development of R&D culture is aimed

During the meeting, the importance of fostering a scientific research culture not only at the higher education level but also from high school years was emphasized for the training of qualified human resources and the sustainability of scientific productivity.
In particular, early exposure of high school students to rapidly evolving research areas that bring together different scientific disciplines, such as neuroscience, was discussed regarding its contribution to:

-    Scientific curiosity, 

-    Analytical thinking, 

-    Problem-solving, 

-    Critical evaluation, and 

-    The development of fundamental competencies such as research methodology.

Solution generation skills will also develop

Considering the interdisciplinary interaction neuroscience establishes with biology, psychology, medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science, it was emphasized that projects developed by students in this field would not be limited to theoretical knowledge acquisition but could also enhance their skills in formulating original research questions and generating solutions through scientific methods.

In this context, it was stated that high school students' early participation in R&D-focused projects offers significant opportunities for them to experience scientific production processes such as defining research problems, developing hypotheses, experimental design, data analysis, scientific reporting, and research ethics.

In line with Üsküdar University's academic approach that prioritizes neuroscience and research and development fields, the collaboration to be developed with Bilfen Schools aims to create a model that supports students' research potential at an early stage and contributes to the development of their scientific abilities.

It is evaluated that this approach is important not only for contributing to students' future academic and professional orientations but also for spreading the research culture at the secondary education level and increasing participation in scientific production processes.

Neuroscience and R&D priorities form the basis of collaboration

Üsküdar University's academic expertise in neuroscience, its interdisciplinary research approach, and the importance it attaches to innovative project development processes formed one of the main focal points of the collaboration with Bilfen Schools.

The parties convened and, in line with the university's research approach supporting scientific knowledge production, discussed the early inclusion of high school students in the research ecosystem and the sharing of academic knowledge with secondary education institutions as priority areas of collaboration.

Within this scope, the aim is to support students not only as individuals who learn existing scientific knowledge but also as young researcher candidates who develop research questions, evaluate scientific data, put forward innovative ideas, and actively participate in research processes.

The collaboration between Üsküdar University and Bilfen Schools is expected to contribute to research-based learning processes by combining the university's academic competence in neuroscience with Bilfen Schools' student clubs and scientific project activities.

Within the scope of the collaboration, it is aimed that joint working mechanisms to be established in areas such as academic consultancy, scientific project development, research methods, and science communication will strengthen the transfer of knowledge and experience between the university and the high school.

Academic support to be provided for NöroBilfen Club's scientific studies

One of the important agenda items of the meeting was the development of the scientific studies of the NöroBilfen Club operating within Bilfen Schools. In this direction, it was evaluated that Üsküdar University academics would provide academic consultancy support for research and project activities carried out within the club, strengthen students' scientific studies methodologically, and introduce them to current research approaches in the field of neuroscience.

It was emphasized that the structure and function of the nervous system, brain functions, cognitive processes, learning and memory mechanisms, computational neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and Üsküdar University's activities in the field of space biology and the university's roles in space research are important scientific study topics for developing research awareness at the high school level.

With the planned academic support mechanism, it is aimed for students to transform the ideas they develop in neuroscience into scientific research questions, conduct literature reviews, determine appropriate research methods, and evaluate their findings with a scientific approach.

Thus, it is aimed for the activities of the NöroBilfen Club to go beyond supporting students' scientific curiosity and contribute to a structure that strengthens their research methodology and project development skills.

Joint studies are aimed in TÜBİTAK and Erasmus+ projects

During the meeting, joint studies that could be carried out to increase the participation of high school students in national and international research and project development programs were also discussed.

Within this scope, the evaluation of appropriate project and collaboration opportunities within TÜBİTAK student research projects and the Erasmus+ program, and the development of academic guidance mechanisms to enable students to transform their scientific ideas into structured project proposals, were brought to the agenda.

It was emphasized that fostering an R&D culture at an early age supports students not only in accessing scientific knowledge but also in using this knowledge to generate new research questions and develop solution-oriented innovative approaches.

Accordingly, it is important for students to experience stages in scientific project development processes such as defining the research problem, determining project objectives and measurable targets, creating a method and implementation plan, evaluating research data, and reporting project outputs in accordance with scientific standards.

The meeting also discussed supporting Bilfen Schools students' participation in the 12th Üsküdar University Science Idea Festival, which will be held this year, and their transformation of innovative ideas into scientific project proposals.

The festival aims to contribute to high school students developing interdisciplinary thinking skills, approaching their scientific ideas from an academic perspective, and becoming acquainted with the project development culture at an earlier stage.

Sustainability and social benefit-oriented projects to be developed

During the meeting, supporting students' scientific research and project development processes from a sustainability perspective was also among the important agenda items.

Accordingly, collaboration opportunities for the development of sustainability-focused club activities within Bilfen Schools and their support with Üsküdar University's academic knowledge were evaluated.

Emphasis was placed on encouraging students to approach environmental and social problems with scientific methods, develop awareness in the field of sustainable development, and participate in projects aimed at transforming research outputs into societal benefit.

Furthermore, the development of joint activities that can be associated with Times Higher Education (THE) impact rankings and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals was brought to the agenda.

The planned activities aim to contribute to high school students recognizing scientific and technological solution approaches in the field of sustainability and developing projects with a sense of social responsibility.

Scientific experiences to be shared in the “Project Journey with ARGEYEP” program

During the meeting, joint studies that could be carried out in the media field were also evaluated, with the aim of making visible the knowledge and experiences gained by students in scientific project development processes and supporting science communication activities.

Within this scope, a consensus was reached on inviting Bilfen Schools to the “Project Journey with ARGEYEP” program, which will be held live at Üsküdar University.

Through the program, it is aimed to share high school students' scientific research and project development experiences, raise awareness regarding young people's participation in R&D and innovation-focused studies, and convey the processes of transforming scientific ideas into projects to broader audiences.
Science communication activities are expected to contribute to the development of students' competencies in scientific presentation, conveying research results, academic discussion, and disseminating scientific knowledge at the societal level.

Sustainable research ecosystem targeted in university-high school collaboration

With the collaboration shaped in line with Üsküdar University's strategic priorities in neuroscience, R&D, scientific research, and project development, the aim is to encourage high school students to participate in scientific research processes at an early age and develop original projects with academic consultancy support.

The collaboration model, which will bring together the academic and educational experience of the two institutions, is expected to make significant contributions to the development of students' scientific research skills, the strengthening of interdisciplinary interaction, and the establishment of a sustainable R&D culture at the secondary education level.

Within the scope of the meeting, following evaluations regarding joint activities that can be carried out in the fields of neuroscience, scientific project development, sustainability, national and international research programs, and science communication, a memorandum of understanding was signed, bringing the collaboration between the two institutions into an institutional framework.

Souvenir photo with Foundation President Tarhan

After the signing of the memorandum of understanding, participants met with Foundation President Prof. Nevzat Tarhan for a souvenir photo. 
The program, concluded with the signing and photo session, constituted an important step in strengthening university-high school collaboration and the joint approach towards including young people in the scientific research ecosystem at an early age.