Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, and Patika Nature Sports Association have signed a cooperation protocol for joint projects aimed at promoting love of nature, environmental awareness, and a healthy lifestyle culture.
University-civil society collaborations aimed at spreading nature-based healthy lifestyle habits, increasing environmental awareness, and strengthening the culture of volunteerism are gaining importance every day. In this context, Near East University and Patika Nature Sports Association signed a cooperation protocol to develop joint projects in the fields of nature, health, and digital balance, and to increase social awareness. Within the scope of the protocol, which includes contributions from Near East University’s Digital Education and Information Unit (DEBİM) and the Social Research and Development Center (TAGEM), digital detox programs, nature-based trainings, healthy lifestyle events, and activities aimed at strengthening volunteerism and environmental awareness will be carried out.
The protocol, which will strengthen cooperation between the university and civil society, aims to support the physical, mental, and social well-being of university students and academic and administrative staff, strengthen digital balance, and promote a nature-based healthy living culture. The signing ceremony, attended by Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt and Patika Nature Sports Association President Erdoğan Işık, also included Patika Board Members İsmail Mert and Sultan Özkan, Digital Education and Information Unit (DEBİM) Director Prof. Dr. Sezer Kanbul, and TAGEM Presidents Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay.
The protocol, which includes regular nature walks, first aid and nature safety training, and environmental awareness events, innovative projects such as “NEU Nature and Digital Detox Days”, “NEU Nature Ambassadors and Volunteer Program”, and “TRNC Digital Nature Atlas” will be implemented, will contribute to public health, environmental awareness, and the strengthening of a volunteer culture. The project set by the protocol, which will digitize walking routes in the TRNC, create QR code-supported route systems, and digitally document natural and cultural heritage, will also ensure the active participation of students in environmentally focused volunteer work. Within the scope of the project, awareness walks targeting different segments of society, especially cancer patients and their relatives, social support projects, and healthy living events will also be among the areas of collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt: “We support the physical and social development of students as well as their academic development.”
Near East University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt stated that Near East University progresses with science, art, and sports as complementary fields, reminding that the university has the title of “Sports-Friendly Campus”, and that they have created a campus environment that supports the physical and social development of students in addition to their academic development. Prof. Dr. Kurt stated that they regard collaborations developed with various stakeholders, primarily public institutions, civil society organizations, and sports federations, as an important element that increases social benefit, emphasizing that such partnerships bring the university’s knowledge and experience to the community. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt stated that he believes the signed cooperation protocols will translate into concrete projects, expressing his conviction that these collaborations will bring significant gains to the country.
Erdoğan Işık: “With Near East University, we will bring the love of nature, environmental awareness, and healthy living culture to a wider audience.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Erdoğan Işık, President of the Patika Nature Sports Association, said that their main goal as an association is to popularize nature sports, bring people together with nature, and especially strengthen the love of nature and healthy living awareness among young people. Stating that they have been collaborating with universities on a voluntary basis for many years, Erdoğan Işık said that they guide students in getting acquainted with nature sports and that this experience has enabled many young people to participate regularly in activities. Expressing their aim to further expand these collaborations, Işık said that they believe the protocol signed with Near East University will make significant contributions to this goal.
Emphasizing that nature sports cannot be considered independently of technology today, Erdoğan Işık stated that they effectively utilize GPS technologies, satellite imagery, and various digital applications in the processes of determining new trails and creating safe routes. Işık stated that the slope, distance, and difficulty levels of the trails are recorded digitally, and that they aim to contribute to nature conservation by preferring digital guidance systems instead of physical markings. He noted that the collaboration with Near East University is an important step in both reaching young people and enabling more effective use of digital technologies in nature sports, adding, “We believe this protocol will contribute to the development of joint projects and more efficient work. I thank everyone who contributed to this collaboration.”