On World Psychologists Day, Near East University hosted “Psychology Days”, bringing together students, academics, and experts to discuss ways to strengthen psychological resilience in the face of the emotional burdens of modern life.
Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, hosted a meaningful event on May 10th, World Psychologists Day. The third annual “Psychology Days”, organized in collaboration with the Near East University Office of Students’ Dean, the Psychology Club, and the Psychology Department of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, was held with the theme “Inner Balance; Emotions, Stress, and Psychological Resilience” at the Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan Hall of the Great Library, with a large attendance.
At the opening of the event, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, and President of the Psychology Club Amine Nur Bürüncük each delivered speeches.
The event covered topics such as stress management, emotional regulation, psychological resilience, anger control, empathy, healthy communication, and psychological flexibility, presented by expert speakers. Sessions held in both Turkish and English also included presentations on loneliness, emotional connections with artificial intelligence, the effects of trauma on memory, and student research on emotion regulation processes. Group workshops provided practical exercises for the professional development of aspiring psychologists.
The event, which facilitated knowledge sharing between students and experts throughout the day, concluded with a cocktail reception at the Cyprus Car Museum.
Common Emphasis at Psychology Days: Psychology as a Science Within Life
Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, in his speech, pointed out that the university has nearly 100 student clubs operating in various fields, emphasizing that each club has its own unique and valuable mission. He stated that they closely follow the work of the Psychology Club and expressed his satisfaction with the third annual “Psychology Days” event. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that the intense interest and participation from students showed that the calls for participation had been answered, and that the event was growing stronger each year, becoming a tradition.
Prof. Dr. Ali Efdal Özkul, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Near East University, emphasized that psychologists guide not only individuals but also the general mental health of society. Stating that mistakes by different professional groups can have serious consequences, Prof. Dr. Özkul noted that psychologists undertake an equally important task, saying, “A doctor can lose a patient with a mistake, a judge can affect a person’s life with a wrong decision, and a teacher can misguide a generation with faulty education. Psychologists also have a very important impact on the mental health of society. Misguiding their clients negatively affects not only the individual but also society.”
Amine Nur Buruncuk, President of the Near East University Psychology Club, stated that the club’s primary goal is to present psychology to students not merely as a theoretical field, but as a science that has real-life applications, touches people, and raises awareness. She added that they have been carrying out significant work in this direction. Buruncuk noted that over the past two years, they have created an active and productive club structure through academic events, social responsibility projects, and various organizations, saying, “Being here today as a large community with hundreds of members is very beneficial to us.”
