Near East University, in line with its social responsibility mission, has signed a collaboration protocol with the SOS Children’s Village Association to implement projects that will bring hope to children.
Near East University, which carries out its education, research, and service activities with a sense of social responsibility, has signed a new collaboration that will contribute to the social development of children and ensure equal access to education. The collaboration protocol signed between the Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education and the Social Research and Development Center and the SOS Children’s Village Association will implement projects that will improve children’s quality of life and support the association’s sustainable development.
The protocol entered into force with the signatures of Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl, Dean of the Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education; Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay and Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay Gazi, Co-Presidents of the Near East University Social Research and Development Center; and Cemil Hafız, Fundraising and Public Relations Manager of the SOS Children’s Village Association. The signing ceremony was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dervişe Amca Toklu, Vice Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education; Prof. Dr. Mukaddes Sakallı Demirok, Head of the Guidance and Psychological Counseling Department, Prof. Dr. Könül Memmedova, and Fatoş Çizenel, Corporate Fundraising Officer of the SOS Children’s Village Association, also attended.
As part of the protocol, educational, research, and implementation activities will be carried out to support children’s social-emotional development, learning skills, and social participation. The Near East University Social Research and Development Center will support the association’s social contribution dimension with research projects, seminars, and panels aimed at strengthening its institutional capacity. Led by the Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Special Education Teaching, and Computer and Educational Technology Education Departments within the Atatürk Faculty of Education, educational and artistic workshops, awareness seminars, individualized education programs, and technology-supported learning applications will be implemented. Proceeds from all events organized within this scope will be donated to the SOS Children’s Village Association.
“We are strengthening our mission of serving society for sustainable development.”
Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl emphasized that the collaboration offers a meaningful opportunity for both students and society, saying, “We value the ability of our prospective teachers to transform their academic knowledge into social benefit. This protocol will contribute to the development of the children of the SOS Children’s Village while strengthening the professional practice skills of our prospective teachers.”
In a joint statement, Near East University Social Research and Development Center Co-Directors Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay said, “This collaboration is a powerful example that combines our university’s mission of serving society with the principles of sustainable development. In this regard, we aim to contribute to the association with scientific projects.”
