Student clubs carrying out projects within the scope of the Youth and Sports Ministry's University Student Clubs Support Program (ÜNİDES), coordinated by the Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports Department (SKS), met with Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan. The projects carried out throughout the year were evaluated at the meeting. Tarhan emphasized that prejudices are the biggest obstacle to projects, stating that young people contribute to the future with targeted and visionary projects. Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Director of the Young Brains Academy, stated that students create cultural heritage with their work.
Üsküdar University Founding Rector and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar, Director of the Young Brains Academy Application and Research Center, Özcan Demir, Head of the Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department, Sadık Paksoy, SKS Manager Responsible for Clubs, Kenan Karagöz, Assistant Manager of the SKS Department, Merve Meliha Günaltay, Assistant Event Manager for SKS, and Şerife Ünal Yıldırım, President of Konya KONES Handicrafts Cooperative and Traditional Turkish Arts Calligraphy and Tile Artist, as well as academicians, club presidents, and students, attended the meeting held in the Central Campus Senate Hall.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “The biggest obstacle to projects is prejudice”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan listened to the community-contributing projects carried out by the students throughout the year and congratulated them on their work. Tarhan said: “It is very valuable to undertake such an initiative at a young age. I would like to thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports for this. These projects are a beginning. There is no social transformation without mental transformation. There is no societal, political, and economic transformation without social transformation. In fact, there is something I always emphasize: 'Software is harder than hardware.' Einstein also said, 'I have broken the atom, but I cannot break prejudices.' The biggest obstacle to projects is prejudice. Projects that will break down prejudices are projects that will serve our future. These societal, social, and cultural prejudices block and lock a person. This creates learned helplessness in people.”
“Projects are like seeds sown for the future”
Tarhan, who stated that medium and long-term projects are very valuable, said: “We need to set a goal for the future. Because a person who sets a goal develops. Someone without a goal cannot develop themselves. This is a matter of vision. In fact, there is an example related to this. Kennedy visits NASA when it was founded. He meets a cleaner there. He asks, 'What do you do?' The man replies, 'I serve America's space project.' He is a cleaner, but look at his vision. The same situation is told for Mimar Sinan. When Süleymaniye or Selimiye was being built, they ask a worker, 'What do you do?' He says, 'I work for such and such a daily wage.' They ask another worker, and he says, 'I am building the largest mosque in the world.' Both are doing the same job, but their perspectives and visions are different. The person who attributes great meaning to their work progresses quickly, becoming a chief, a master. It's like that in life. If you look at a project with this perspective, a person can progress. That's why don't underestimate projects. Projects are like seeds sown for the future. Here, you need to determine your goal well. If your goal and strategy are clear, those projects will turn into trees that will bear fruit in the future. Especially medium and long-term projects are much more valuable. That's why it's important to continue this work. We also have social projects. We need to focus on them too. Because what stops us most as a society is hopelessness and pessimism. A person with a project does not fall into pessimism. If they have a goal, a long-term thought, they do not give up immediately in failure. Projects give people resilience. That's why always have a goal and a project.”
Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar: “With these projects, you are leaving a cultural heritage for the future”
Within the scope of the meeting, Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar, Director of the Young Brains Academy Application and Research Center, delivered her speech. Yaşar said: “Today is a very special day. Our Professor Nevzat Tarhan often emphasizes a saying, 'What did you do for your project today?' You gave the best answer to this question. I sincerely congratulate and applaud all of you. I would like to continue with another important saying from our professor: 'Have a passionate life purpose.' You reflected this passion beautifully in the 27 projects supported by ÜNİDES this year. The President of ÜNİDES from the Ministry of Youth and Sports called us and said, 'What have you done, how wonderful these projects are, what capable students you have raised?' These words honored us. You have made a very meaningful start with your work. Hopefully, the continuation will be just as beautiful. The German philosopher Marc Leibniz says, 'He who directs youth to good, directs humanity to good.' With these projects, you are leaving a cultural heritage for the future. We are all proud of you.”
Club presentations were made
Following the opening speeches, SKS Department Head Özcan Demir gave a presentation summarizing the work done by the clubs.
Certificates were given to students
After the presentation, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Sadık Paksoy presented participation certificates and the book 'Bilinçli Genç Olmak' ('Being a Conscious Youth') to the students.
A painting was presented to Tarhan
Additionally, within the scope of the program, Şerife Ünal Yıldırım, President of Konya KONES Handicrafts Cooperative and Traditional Turkish Arts Calligraphy and Tile Artist, presented a painting she created to Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
The program concluded after a group photo session.