The importance of student clubs in university life highlighted in Üsküdar

Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports (SCS) Department organized the “2026-2027 Academic Year Student Clubs Orientation Program” to introduce club structures. The program discussed the importance of student clubs in university life, the experiences gained by students through club activities, and various training sessions. At the event where student clubs shared their work and achievements, the President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented awards to the clubs that ranked among the top for their work throughout the term. 

The event, held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, was attended by academic advisors of the clubs, club members, and students, including the President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Vice Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak, and Head of Health, Culture and Sports (SCS) Department Sadık Paksoy. 

Within the scope of the program, the President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, presented awards to the clubs that achieved success during the term. 

The program started with opening speeches. 

Prof. Hikmet Koçak: “Preparing for life starts at university”

Stating that universities are institutions that produce science and put it at the service of humanity and society, Vice Rector Prof. Hikmet Koçak said; “One of the most important stages in human life is university life. When you come to university, you come to an institution that will shape your life. From now on, you will be individuals who will strive to serve society. Preparing for life also begins at university. Everyone gets a diploma, but what's important is to live your university life in line with your dreams. Universities are places to develop, mature, and plan your thoughts in your dream world. As Üsküdar University, whatever you think, whatever you dream of, whatever project you want to do, we offer our facilities to your service. In addition to your diploma, the experiences you gain here will guide you in your future life. Student clubs are one of these. What will set you apart is not just your diploma, but also the experiences you gain and the development of your abilities and talents to overcome challenges. In clubs, you will have the opportunity to work together, communicate, and undertake joint projects. Experience is hard to come by. It takes a long time to gain experience yourself, but if you benefit from the experiences of others and blend them with your own thoughts, you will progress faster.” he stated.

Sadık Paksoy: “University life is one of the most important turning points”

Stating that university life is an important period for people to get to know themselves, realize their talents, and develop themselves, Head of Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports (SCS) Department Sadık Paksoy said, “University life is one of the most important turning points. Getting to know ourselves, realizing our aptitudes and abilities, developing ourselves, and starting to climb the career ladder all begin in this period. If you achieve these by getting to know yourselves, producing new ideas, making friends, and utilizing your time outside of academic courses in the best way, you will truly start life from a very significant point. For people, academic knowledge and information are very important. Putting this knowledge into practice in life is even more important. Establishing and running a club offers the opportunity to experience very important processes such as teamwork, communication, planning, project management, and organization. When you work in clubs, you will multiply your social capital. Therefore, being active in clubs and striving in activities is very important for you. I expect our students to be active in clubs, continuously produce, and continuously organize great events.” he said.

Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş: “With these trainings, we learn what we need to do before, during, and after a disaster” 

Assistant Director of the Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) and Academic Advisor to the Civil Defense Club, Instructor Esad Sadık Demirtaş, providing information about the Support AFAD Volunteering training conducted in cooperation with Üsküdar University and AFAD, said; “I am sure many of our students have faced emergency situations. We can encounter many emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, traffic accidents, fires, and explosions. However, not all of us can manage crises. Due to our excitement, our reaction at that moment, and the lack of training we received, we are not aware of how to deal with an emergency. One of the important opportunities offered to you as university students is the Support AFAD Volunteer training. With these trainings, we learn what we need to do before, during, and after a disaster. Before an earthquake, have we made a plan with our family, determined the communication channel or gathering area, how will we protect ourselves during and after an earthquake? We need to be aware of these. AFAD offers us a significant training opportunity on these issues with its Support AFAD Volunteer training. If you take this training, you will have a certificate valid for three years and can volunteer in emergencies or disasters that may occur anywhere in Turkey. In an emergency, there is a need not only for search and rescue teams but also for doctors, nurses, child development specialists, food engineers, dietitians, in short, everyone who is responsible and an expert in their field. As of last year, we have 190 Support AFAD Volunteers at our university. 22 of these are our academic staff, and 168 are our students. It is very important that these students can intervene in emergencies and disasters that may occur in their hometowns after graduation.” he stated. 

Efe Sefa Değirmenci: “Clubs offer important opportunities”

Efe Sefa Değirmenci, Chairman of the IEEE Student Branch Club for the 2025-2026 term and a 4th-year Molecular Biology and Genetics student, delivered a speech within the program. Değirmenci said; “As a club, we organize symposiums and produce projects. We received grant support for our project carried out for COP31. We also had TEKNOFEST finalists and TÜBİTAK projects. Last year, we held IEEE Turkey's Marmara Region Meeting for the first time at Üsküdar University. In my four years of club experience, I learned to work with people from different departments, manage a team, and communicate. Clubs offer important opportunities to meet different people and prepare for the challenges we will face in business life. A club president does not have to do all the work himself; what is important is to delegate tasks to the right people. During this process, we received the support of our academic advisor and our Health, Culture and Sports Department. If you are going to do a job, you cannot succeed alone. As IEEE, we also have a great slogan: We are stronger together.” he said. 

SCS’s working method introduced

Following the speeches, the Health, Culture and Sports (SCS) Department team met with students and provided information about the unit's operations. 

Award ceremony took place

Within the scope of the program, the President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented the awards to student clubs that stood out with their work. 

In the award ranking, the Young Medical Students Club came in fifth, the Translation Club fourth, the Young Earth Doctors Club third, the Perfusion Club second, and the Youth Club first.

The program ended with a group photo session.