In the “Social Research and Development Symposium” organized by the Near East University Social Research and Development Center, many issues, especially sustainable development goals, were discussed.
The “Social Research and Development Symposium” organized by the Near East University Social Research and Development Center was held with intense participation. In addition to invited speakers from Kazakhstan and Tunisia, universities and non-governmental organizations showed great interest in the symposium, where 40 international papers and researchers’ knowledge, experience and research on social issues were also presented.
At the end of the symposium, which was held free of charge and which provided the opportunity to create a cooperation environment for projects covering all issues related to women, the disabled and children, the elderly and young people, which are among the missions of the Near East University Social Research and Development Center, the speakers were given the handiwork ceramics donated by Famagusta Special Education Center students.
The first panel of the symposium was moderated by University of Kyrenia Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Gökmen Dağlı. In the panel, social projects were shared by Prof. Dr. Hatice Jenkins from the Elderly Rights and Mental Health Association, Prof. Dr. Sibel Dinçyürek from the Development Movement (TOGEH), Eastern Mediterranean University faculty member Prof. Dr. Bahire Efe Özad, Business Women’s Association President Selin Candemir and TRNC Presidential Disabled Committee Chairperson Ahmet Akdeniz.
Sustainable development goals were discussed
The other panel titled “Interdisciplinary Perspective on Social Issues within the Scope of Sustainable Development Goals” was hosted by Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bicen and moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl. In the panel, Head of Tourism Research and Development Center Prof. Dr. Tülen Saner, Head of Energy, Environment and Water Research Center Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gökçekuş, Near East University Dean of Students Prof. Dr. Dudu Özkum Yavuz, Head of the Lifelong Learning Center (YABEM) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Hürsen, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Emete Toros from 60+ Refreshment University took place as speakers.
In the panel moderated by faculty members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Behçet Öznacar and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yağmur Çerkez, in which social issues and projects were discussed, Olive Tree Aid Association President (ZAYDER) Rabia Özcömert, Nicosia Capital Lions Club President Gülçin Erkmen, Famagusta Special Education School representative Dr. Emirali Evcimen and Özay Günsel Children’s University Board Member Assist. Prof. Dr. Dervişe Amca Toklu made speeches.
NGOs presented their social projects at the symposium
The second day of the symposium continued with Assist. Prof. Dr. Mutlu Soykurt’s “Jewels in Society” presentation. Within the scope of the book series “Jewels of Northern Cyprus”, Assist Prof. Dr. Mutlu Soykurt also moderated the panel organized within the scope of the symposium. During the panel, Chairman of the TRNC Presidency of Youth and Culture Committee Vehbi Zeki Serter, Academy Art Association President Gencay Eroğlu, Özay Günsel Children’s University Secretary General Duygu Kaptanoğlu, Ceramic Artist Leman Cankat and Süleyman Cengiz Eminoğlu Foundation Founding President Özge Özbekoğlu spoke on their social projects.
In the smart cities and society-themed seminar, Prof. Dr. Fadi Al-Turjman, Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay made suggestions on services and smart technologies for everyone in line with sustainable development goals. Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay talked about the contribution of the center in the preparation of the Accessible Tourism Guide and emphasized that the Guide is used in many different cities in English, Arabic and Turkish.
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay: “Strong ties have been formed between society, science and universities.”
The Head of Social Research and Development Center Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay emphasizing that they are working to shed light on social issues with a scientific perspective with co-chairman Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay and the members of the board of directors who are experts in their fields since 2013, said, “Strong ties have been formed between society, science and universities.”
On the first day of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Altınay and invited speaker Dr. Ainur Kenebayeva shared the results of the projects carried out in cooperation with the Social Research and Development Center of the Near East University and the Kazakhstan Social Research Center. Participating in the symposium from Tunisia, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Jemni gave information about sustainable development goals, technology, and artificial intelligence applications.
