The “Interdisciplinary Community Service Workshop,” which brought together students, academics, and civil society organizations under one roof, created a multifaceted evaluation environment on scientific production and social well-being at Near East University, which is among the top 500 universities in the world.
Carried out by the Atatürk Faculty of Education and the Social Research and Development Center of Near East University, the “Interdisciplinary Community Service Workshop” was held in the Prof. Dr. Ümit Hassan Republic Hall of the Near East University Grand Library.
The opening speeches of the workshop, which saw high participation, were delivered by Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl, Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education of Near East University, and Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay, Head of the Social Research and Development Center. The workshop consisted of three sessions; The workshop addressed the following topics: The Place of Community Service Practices in Teacher Training and Field Applications, Developing Future Scientific Research Projects that Will Transform Society, and Building Collective Happiness in Society: An Approach from a Positive Psychology Perspective. Bringing together civil society organizations, academics, and students around community-oriented projects, the workshop also strengthened an interdisciplinary perspective. Successful projects were awarded at the “Community Projects Award Session” held within the workshop.
Furthermore, as part of the Community Service Practices course led by Helin Sıddık, a lecturer in the Preschool Education Department of the Faculty of Education, students created handicrafts with preschool children in two different educational institutions. The sale of these handicrafts for the benefit of the Association for Aid to Cancer Patients was one of the most meaningful examples of the workshop’s practical application. The donation of all proceeds highlighted how the interdisciplinary approach was combined with a sense of social responsibility, and how the transformative power of education found its practical application.
Civil Society, Science, and Psychology Meet Under One Roof…
In the first session, representatives of civil society organizations with whom students collaborated on community service projects took the floor. Speakers included Bahire Coşkuner Doğru, President of the Cyprus Foundation for the Hearing and Speech Impaired; Çelen Çağansoy, Member of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Council; Ayşe Kanlıada, President of the Association for Aid to Cancer Patients; Ömer Bulduk, Board Member of the Cyprus Turkish Association for Orthopedically Disabled Persons; Berhan Yılmaz, Social Service Specialist of the Kemal Saraçoğlu Foundation for Children with Leukemia and Cancer; and Ahmet Muçan, Social Service Specialist of the Olive Tree Education and Aid Association. The session, which reviewed the completed projects, included presentations on the field impact and societal effects of student collaborations.
The second session of the workshop continued under the title “Developing Future Scientific Research Projects That Will Transform Society,” with presentations by Prof. Dr. Seydi Ahmet Satıcı from Yıldız Technical University, Prof. Dr. Aşkın Kiraz from Near East University, and other academics. This session addressed the development of future interdisciplinary research projects, how scientific output can be integrated into society, and how research can be transformed into social benefit. The final session focused on the theme “Building Collective Happiness in Society: An Approach from a Positive Psychology Perspective.” Prof. Dr. Mehmet Engin Deniz from Yıldız Technical University, Prof. Dr. Durmuş Ümmet from Marmara University, and other experts in the field assessed the contributions of positive psychology to social well-being, solidarity, and the understanding of collective happiness within a scientific framework.
Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl: “The multidisciplinary nature of the workshop will significantly contribute to our students developing future-oriented projects.”
The Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education at Near East University, Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl, also recalled Near East University’s achievement of entering the top 500 in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. Umut Akçıl said, “This year is even more special and meaningful for us. Because, as the Faculty of Education of a university that has entered the top 500 in the World University Rankings, we are carrying out another important event. This workshop is not just an academic event; it is a very important platform that concretizes the responsibility of faculties of education towards society.”
Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl, noting that the teaching profession plays one of the most critical roles in shaping the future of society, said, “In today’s world, the complexity of social problems is increasing. Therefore, it is of great importance that our prospective teachers are trained not only in theoretical terms but also in practical terms to be individuals who can carry out projects, analyze social needs, and produce solutions. The multidisciplinary structure of this workshop will significantly contribute to our students developing innovative and forward-looking projects aimed at the needs of society.”
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay: “This workshop provides us with a strong foundation to emphasize the value of a project-based culture.”
Speaking at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay, Head of the Social Research and Development Center at Near East University, said, “Looking at our program, we see once again how important a role community service applications play in transforming the scientific perspective and academic understanding for the benefit of society. This workshop provides us with a strong foundation to emphasize the value of a project-based culture.”
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay added, “The synergy we have created together here today makes the importance of community projects even more visible. While discussing the concept of leadership in social transformation, as an academician, we must not forget that it is not only about producing knowledge, but also about carrying out studies that develop a scientific perspective, a research culture, and human qualities. In this context, I would like to thank all my colleagues and the institutions we collaborate with.”
