"Responsibility goes hand in hand with capacity and strength..."

What is Social Responsibility?

When the concept of social responsibility is examined etymologically, responsibility means "assuming the consequences of one's own behavior or any event that falls within one's jurisdiction". Accordingly, the concept of social responsibility can be defined as an individual obligation that binds everyone to protect the legitimate interests and rights of others.

Social responsibility is the responsibility of all individuals and governments to improve the quality of life of their communities by supporting economic, environmental, cultural and social development for a sustainable world together with their employees and their families, local communities and society. From another perspective, social responsibility is the responsibility of individuals and organizations to take actions that promote and protect the general interests of society as well as their own interests. It is the provision of material and moral support to those in need, regardless of their own interests. Social responsibility aims to bring the knowledge, skills, experience and resources of individuals in social issues to the society and to make a difference in society with social benefit. With the initiatives of non-governmental organizations, the state and private companies, we can also say that it is a state of standing by others in areas of need and in situations where the state cannot reach. No profit or interest is considered, gratuitous help is essential.

As long as society exists, the concept of social responsibility will continue as a part of daily life. Social responsibility is an awareness that does not have certain patterns, any material and moral limitations, and can be possessed under all circumstances. In short, social responsibility is to look at life as 'WE'.

Üsküdar University is involved in many initiatives and studies with a social responsibility approach. While supporting students' individual responsibility initiatives, it also aims to realize studies that will be beneficial to social development and will be instrumental in raising good people as well as raising scientists.

What is a Social Responsibility Project?

Social responsibility projects are projects prepared for the realization of things that are beneficial to humanity without expecting anything in return. People who take part in a social responsibility project take this responsibility voluntarily and do not expect any benefit from this task. Today, institutions can also initiate social responsibility projects. As in the case of the"Families at University" Social Innovation Project, which was initiated and successfully carried out in cooperation with Üsküdar University and NPİstanbul.

Social Responsibility Projects contribute to the sharing of common universal values by societies for the continuity of life and the improvement of social life, and to the raising of social individuals who can look to the future with hope. In addition to this; it also enables individuals to develop and realize themselves in teamwork by addressing their responsibilities to the society they live in, the world they share, and their personal efforts.

Altruism and awareness lie at the heart of the social responsibility project. Individuals are invited to make small sacrifices in order to lend a helping hand to those who do not or cannot have the same opportunities as them. It can be in areas such as health, education, poverty, gender equality, etc., with the aim of improving the quality of life of individuals in need. In addition, support can be provided for human rights, animal rights and art to ensure social development. A social responsibility project is usually successful if it coincides with the needs of society. The important thing is to choose the right projects to get support by ensuring the trust of the society.

Üsküdar University, with its Entrepreneurship and Project Culture courses, aims to educate its students in accordance with the search for meaning in life and to raise them as individuals who can produce solutions to social problems instead of being spectators. In addition, "Haydi Tut Elimi Rehabilitation, Education and Assistance Association" was established within Üsküdar University as a first in Turkey in order to enable them to lead civil societies in the field of social responsibility and corporate responsibility as adults of the future who are aware of their individual responsibilities to help those in need.

It is a non-governmental organization established and operating with the aim of "conducting protective mental health, well-being and positive psychological consolidation studies for the protection of children and young people between the ages of 0 and 18; preventing negative practices related to children, reintegrating them into society, ensuring their transformation into a family and supporting them in the process of completing their social rehabilitation". This organization leads students as an application center of social projects in line with its purpose. As in the project "Learning the Rhythms of Life in Occupational Therapy" supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports...

The "Mutlu Yuva Association", which is supported by the University and with which it produces joint social projects, works for orphaned children.

Üsküdar University's founding foundation, Human Values and Mental Health Foundation-IDER, provides significant student scholarships, supports the health expenses of those with limited means, and contributes to the mental and physical health of those in need. Together with the İDER Foundation, it provides full scholarships to 56% of its more than 21 thousand students.

While doing all this, it also takes initiatives to ensure that students produce social responsibility projects and take part in them voluntarily.

What is corporate social responsibility?

The approach to social responsibility has gained a new dimension with the concept of corporate social responsibility and has become a current field of practice that encourages not only private sector organizations but also public institutions, local governments and educational institutions to work in this direction. Today, the concept constitutes one of the main issues on the agenda of businesses and institutions globally.

Üsküdar University, which carries out activities with the understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility and realizes various social responsibility projects, also aims to highlight social values and keep them alive. With the principle of corporate social responsibility, Üsküdar University develops projects that will be beneficial to individuals and society in the field of addiction, which is one of the important problems of the world, as well as in many other fields, for the prevention and treatment of addiction.

Since 2016, Üsküdar University has been awarding exemplary behaviors that will contribute to the development of these values and the people who demonstrate these behaviors by highlighting social values every year with the High Human Values Awards.

Üsküdar University draws attention not only with its corporate social responsibility but also with its individual responsibility understanding and takes part in important studies in this sense. All proceeds from the books written by Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, translated into various languages, sold in various countries around the world and sold more than 1 million copies, are donated to İDER Foundation (Human Values and Mental Health Foundation).