As part of World Milk Week, the “Milk Run”,held for the first time this year at Near East University, created colorful moments filled with sports and awareness on campus.

Milk and dairy products are fundamental elements of a healthy and balanced diet, playing a significant role in bone development, the immune system, and overall body health. In this context, “Milk Week”, celebrated annually between May 21st and 28th, aims to increase awareness in this field. Near East University, ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, organized a meaningful event this year as part of “Milk Week.”

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the Office of Students’ Dean and the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports, brought the “Milk Run” to life. The first-ever “Milk Run” attracted great interest from participants, combining music and sports. The event, held on campus, drew significant attention with its energetic atmosphere that blended music, sports, and awareness.

The run, in which 313 people participated, took place around the natural lake on the university campus. The race, consisting of a single 1200-meter course, started and ended in front of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The music played throughout the event and the enthusiasm that spread throughout the campus transformed the “Milk Run” from a mere sporting event into a joyful campus gathering that raised awareness.

The champions have been announced!

In the women’s category, Aylin Çölleroğlu came first, Sude Verimli second, and Zeynep Su Güvenç third; while in the men’s category, Sefa Kırçık came first, Wafic Saleh second, and Alperen Gökçe third. The medals were presented to the winners by Prof. Dr. İsfendiyar Darbaz, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Near East University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Atamtürk, Head of the Health, Culture and Sports Department at Near East University.

Prof. Dr. İsfendiyar Darbaz: “We brought together the unifying power of sport, the energy of youth, and the vibrant social atmosphere of our university in the same event.”

Emphasizing that the organized “Milk Run” was not just a sporting event, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Dr. İsfendiyar Darbaz, stated that the organization also carried an important message in terms of healthy living awareness and social consciousness. Drawing attention to the role of milk in raising healthy generations, Prof. Dr. Darbaz said, “Milk and dairy products are of great importance for public health. What makes World Milk Week meaningful is not only creating sectoral awareness, but also explaining to society the importance of the safe production chain extending from ‘farm to table’.” Referring to the social dynamism the event added to university life, Prof. Dr. Darbaz said, “Today, we brought together the unifying power of sport, the energy of youth, and the vibrant social atmosphere of our university in the same event. We want to make this event a tradition.”