Turkey's Hub of Good Deeds Meets Its Hub of Intellect

The 4th meeting of the “Üsküdar University Community Meetings” was held by the Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordination Office, with the aim of bringing the knowledge and experience of universities together with society in line with sustainable development goals. Within the scope of the program, held with the theme “From University to Society, From Society to the Future” in cooperation with Üsküdar University Health Services Vocational School (SHMYO), a cooperation protocol was signed between Üsküdar University and the Turkish Red Crescent Istanbul. With the signed protocol, an important step was taken towards the realization of joint projects in the fields of education, health, volunteering, and social responsibility. A special cake was also cut during the program for the 158th Anniversary of Kızılay.

A cooperation protocol was signed between Üsküdar University and the Turkish Red Crescent Istanbul

The meeting held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Senate Hall was attended by President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör, Istanbul Deputy Governor Elif Canan Tuncer, Kadıköy District Governor Muhittin Pamuk, Turkish Red Crescent Istanbul Provincial Head Burcu Kösem, Turkish Red Crescent Secretary General İshak Koçoğlu, Mahmut Ekşi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Science and Virtue Foundation Educational Institutions, Turkish Red Crescent Kadıköy Branch Head Birol Boz, Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator, and representatives of non-governmental organizations. 

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Goodness is truly a safety belt”

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, who spoke within the program, emphasized the meticulousness shown by Generation Z in volunteering activities. Tarhan said; “I saw a vivid example of cooperation with Kızılay when the February 6th earthquake occurred in 2023. Without anyone saying anything, I saw all the young people gathered in our corridors, buying water from the market with their pocket money, and making packages. They made packages day and night for days. We prepared the packages. As a whole team, everyone volunteered. Let's not misunderstand young people by calling them Generation Z. We saw that we are much more hopeful for our future, and that this unity in times of disaster is in our cultural genetics. Even though modernism may pull many things in different directions, we can unite immediately in times of crisis. This revived it again. Everyone thought of Kızılay here. Many things related to Kızılay became more active after that date. Our students' strong participation in this process is also very valuable, because they will build the future. The most important element that keeps Kızılay standing is its values. Kızılay is not just a charity organization; it also represents values and meaning. If we keep that meaning alive and continue with vivid examples, it is very important that we can establish this synthesis between Kızılay and the university. Goodness is truly a safety belt.”

“Values are also embedded in the cultural fabric of our society”

Tarhan, referring to the place of values in society, said; “People who help disadvantaged individuals have lower stress hormones and higher happiness hormones. When we look at the brain's response to selfless help, we see that it has a very strong effect. Studies on this subject have also increased over time. Previously, social responsibility projects and especially the culture of mutual aid were underestimated by some circles. They were criticized with expressions such as 'charity culture'. However, over time, the importance of this form of mutual aid was better understood. In our culture, this understanding of solidarity has been strengthened by our belief system. The understanding that 'the best of people are those who are most beneficial to people' forms the basis of this culture. These values are also embedded in the cultural fabric of our society. Keeping this culture alive and continuing it can only be possible with concrete steps, living examples, and practical applications in the field.”

“When they handle trauma correctly, they can emerge stronger from it”

Tarhan, stating that traumas should be handled correctly, said: “For natural disasters and natural events, we use the term 'developmental trauma'. People experience trauma, but when they handle this trauma correctly, they can emerge stronger from it. Here, the real winner is the person who helps, because the giver gains in terms of mental health. This situation is also explained by psychological resilience and mindfulness studies. It has been scientifically proven that helping people strengthens one's own mental health. Furthermore, in applications such as gratitude modules, people are encouraged to do good deeds for those who helped them in the past. This creates a strong social bond and a positive psychological effect. If these studies are carried out with a dimension of meaning, they become more voluntary, more permanent, and more effective. Because tasks without meaning lose their effect in a short time, while meaningful works are long-term and sustainable. For this reason, as a university, we attach importance to giving these types of studies not only a practical application but also a strong dimension of meaning and vision.”

Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We find the work of our Social Contribution Coordination Office extremely valuable”

Prof. Nazife Güngör, Rector of Üsküdar University, delivered a speech within the meeting. Güngör said; “The duty of universities is not only to provide education and training. Universities also produce science. What is important is that this produced knowledge transforms into social benefit, finds its place in life, and contributes to society through practical applications. For this reason, we find the work of our Social Contribution Coordination Office extremely valuable. These efforts, which have been sustained for many years, continue to strengthen day by day. Thanks to the activities carried out, we, as a university, find the opportunity to fulfill our social responsibility and contribute to our students gaining social responsibility awareness. Especially the studies for disadvantaged groups make significant contributions to our young people growing up as more sensitive individuals in society. I believe that these efforts add value not only to individuals but also to the future of our country. I think that every seemingly small touch will yield great and lasting results over time.”

Elif Canan Tuncer: “Cooperation will increase the quality of the work”

Istanbul Deputy Governor Elif Canan Tuncer spoke at the meeting. Tuncer said; “It is very important for Üsküdar University to cooperate with an institution like Kızılay. This cooperation will increase the quality of the work and also provide prestige. Hopefully, in our next meeting, we will also have made a start regarding these accredited search and rescue teams.”

Burcu Kösem: “We are uniting the hub of intellect with the hub of good deeds”

Burcu Kösem, Turkish Red Crescent Istanbul Provincial Head, delivered her speech within the meeting. Kösem said; “We attach great importance to being in the field, because being in the field is not only about contributing to others but also a process where one develops and improves oneself. For this reason, today we are not only signing a cooperation protocol here but also witnessing the meeting of knowledge with compassion, and scientific accumulation with social benefit. The Turkish Red Crescent has undertaken an important mission for 158 years with its work focusing on humanity and goodness. Üsküdar University is also an institution that produces human-centered knowledge, conducts research, and contributes to society. I believe that the coming together of these two strong structures will yield very valuable results, because societal problems can be solved not only with good intentions but also with scientific knowledge, common sense, and cooperation. We believe that collaborations to be established with universities will further strengthen our work in this area. Because Turkey’s hub of good deeds and its hub of knowledge, intellect, and science are coming together. I wholeheartedly believe that this unity will lead to very valuable work.”

Asst. Prof. Ömer Faruk Karasakal: “We attach importance to educating our students with a sense of social responsibility and volunteerism”

Asst. Prof. Ömer Faruk Karasakal, Director of Üsküdar University Health Services Vocational School (SHMYO), made an informative presentation within the meeting. Karasakal said; “As a Vocational School, we continue to uphold Üsküdar University's understanding of contributing to society, adopted since its establishment. In this context, we attach importance to educating our students not only with vocational knowledge and skills but also with a sense of social responsibility and volunteerism. In this direction, we have carried out various social responsibility projects, social contribution activities, and awareness training in cooperation with public institutions, local governments, and non-governmental organizations to date. The Turkish Red Crescent is one of the most important organizations that comes to mind in our country and worldwide when it comes to volunteerism, solidarity, and service to humanity. As the Health Services Vocational School, with our 38 programs, thousands of students, dynamic academic staff, and student clubs, we find the Kızılay cooperation very valuable. With this cooperation, we believe that we can further develop our work in many areas, from disaster awareness to volunteer activities, from blood donation campaigns to social projects for the elderly, children, and disadvantaged groups. We believe that this protocol will particularly encourage our youth to participate more actively in the movement for good and further strengthen social contribution.”

Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan Koca: “We continue to produce sustainable projects for the benefit of society”

Asst. Prof. Gamze Kağan Koca, Üsküdar University Health Services Vocational School (SHMYO) Social Contribution Representative, delivered a presentation introducing SHMYO's social contribution activities. Koca said; “When we look at the social contribution activities carried out by our Vocational School between 2025 and June 2026, there are 122 events that we categorize as social contribution. As the Social Contribution Coordination Office, we evaluate these activities in seven categories: education, awareness, industry, health, social services, professional development, and field studies. We see that our work primarily focuses on the areas of education, awareness, industry, health, and social services. In this context, we carry out social responsibility projects, awareness events, and training programs for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, children, and families. Furthermore, we continue our disaster awareness, volunteerism, vocational training, and social solidarity efforts in cooperation with AFAD, the Regional Directorate of Forestry, the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Turkish Red Crescent, and various non-governmental organizations. In short, as our Vocational School, we continue to produce sustainable projects for the benefit of society and create social impact by bringing together academic knowledge and societal needs.”

Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar: “We are striving to contribute to local and national development”

Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator, spoke within the meeting. Yaşar said; “I would like to start with the words of our President, ‘Goodness gains meaning where science meets society, and social contribution is the product of a consciousness that views humanity as a value.’ These statements very clearly reveal the importance of connecting the knowledge produced at the university with society. Social contribution in universities is one of three fundamental missions: education-training, research-development, and community service. As the Social Contribution Coordination Office, we strive to generate social benefit and contribute to local and national development by bringing our university's knowledge and experience together with society.”
Following the opening speeches, the protocol signing ceremony commenced.

Kızılay’s 158th Anniversary cake was cut…

Following the signing ceremony, the 158th anniversary of the Turkish Red Crescent’s establishment was celebrated with a cake. 

The meeting concluded after a group photo session.