Sakarya University collaborates with various national and international stakeholders to implement best practices in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university conducts joint projects with other universities, research centers, the private sector, and civil society organizations to develop pioneering projects in sustainable development. These collaborations facilitate the achievement of environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals by enabling the sharing of innovative solutions and best practices. Through seminars, workshops, and conferences, Sakarya University promotes the exchange of knowledge and experiences, thereby increasing awareness in the field of sustainable development and contributing to the dissemination of best practices. These efforts reinforce the university’s commitment and leadership in achieving sustainable development goals.
Sakarya University Takes Part in the European Union’s Highest-Budget Project
Sakarya University has adopted sustainability as a mission in the construction sector. The "Sustainable Development with Africa Project (PURSUE)," implemented under the leadership of Dr. Tuba Tatar, a lecturer in Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, has been awarded the highest budget support provided to our university by the European Union. Within the scope of this project, training, seminars, and workshops will be organized to minimize natural resource consumption during the use of building materials and to promote the use of sustainable building materials. Qualified practitioners will be trained among civil engineers, architects, and graduates who can utilize these materials in practical applications. Additionally, laboratory infrastructure will be developed to provide hands-on experience for these practitioners. The project will be implemented in partnership with Sakarya University (Turkey), the University of Porto (Portugal), Eduardo Mondlane University (Mozambique), Lúrio University (Mozambique), Dar es Salam University of Technology (Tanzania), Ardhi University (Tanzania), Simad University (Somalia), Mogadishu University (Somalia), and the Public Institute of Mozambique Engineering Laboratory (Mozambique).
The project will last three years. The project will begin as a pilot area at the Dar es Salaam University of Technology in Tanzania. This project aims to directly contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production; Climate Action; and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). The project aims to create sustainable living spaces in Sub-Saharan Africa using long-lasting and affordable building materials.
Sakarya University’s “Language Tree” Project Strengthens Its Research University Vision
Sakarya University, aiming to establish sustainable partnerships within global education networks, is making a name for itself in the international arena with an innovative project in language teaching. The "Language Tree" Project, part of the Erasmus+ KA220-YOU Program supported by the European Union and the Turkish National Agency, stands out as one of the most comprehensive and prestigious initiatives in the field of social sciences. The project, developed in collaboration with Sakarya University and TÖMER, has introduced a new international collaboration model in language teaching through the "Certificate Program for Teaching Turkish to Bilinguals and Foreigners."
The program, which began with an opening speech by Gamze Bozgöz, Education Attaché at the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Düsseldorf, was designed for young educators and university students interested in specializing in language teaching. Academics and trainers from 17 different universities and civil society organizations in Turkey and Europe provided training on bilingualism, innovative pedagogies in language teaching, and digital learning tools. The program, attended by over 50 young language instructors from universities in Turkey and Europe, aimed to develop the participants' pedagogical and digital competencies.
Workshops conducted as part of the project focused on probabilistic conversation chain design and algorithm-based learning models, demonstrating how AI-powered digital tools can be used in language teaching. The developed web-based application was designed to support the sustainability of digital education by providing instructors with an interactive and dynamic learning environment.
The event was held in Duisburg, Germany. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Hüküm led the project on behalf of Sakarya University. Project team members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yakup Alan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Altun, Lecturer Ömer Göktaş, and Lecturer Saliha Taze provided theoretical and practical training to the participants. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Hüküm thanked all the academics who contributed to the project and stated that Sakarya University will continue to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through international education and research partnerships. Hüküm emphasized that the Language Tree Project is not merely an educational initiative but also an exemplary model that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, digital capacity development, and cultural interaction.
In this respect, the Language Tree Project embodies Sakarya University's vision of internationalization, digital transformation, and sustainable academic development, making a substantial contribution to Turkey's global visibility in higher education and multi-stakeholder scientific diplomacy efforts.
Sakarya University’s Sustainable Development Initiative Extending to Africa
Sakarya University has taken another significant step toward becoming a research university by increasing its international visibility in scientific production. By executing a European Union (EU) project with a budget of €780,000, the university is taking a leading role in strengthening international partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The project, which involves the participation of five different countries, aims to promote the use of environmentally friendly construction materials sourced from local areas and strengthen collaboration among higher education institutions, professionals, and local communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project aims to reduce construction costs and develop resilient infrastructure for sustainable cities.
The project is directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and, in particular, Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
Supported by leading universities from Portugal, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Somalia, the project is coordinated by Dr. Tuba Tatar, a faculty member at Sakarya University's Faculty of Engineering. The project team includes Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emiroğlu and Dr. Samir Afifi as researchers. The 36-month project aims to establish sustainable building technologies and educational infrastructure on the African continent.
This initiative further demonstrates Sakarya University's status as an active actor in science, technology, and sustainable development, not only nationally but also globally. Through this project, the university strengthens its international research networks, contributing to Turkey's visibility within the European Union Research Area and supporting the development of sustainable living conditions in Africa with academic and ethical responsibility.
Sakarya University Students Participated in the “Solution Challenge” Competition with Three Projects
Sakarya University students continue to contribute to the university's internationalization vision and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the innovative projects they develop. One of our university's student clubs, the Google Developer Student Clubs, participated in the global "Solution Challenge" competition, themed around the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with three projects: "SociaFit," "Detection of Fake and Real News," and "EcoPoint." These projects demonstrate the ability of Sakarya University students to develop technology-based solutions to global problems and contribute to strengthening international collaborations in line with SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.
1. SociaFit: A Digital Solution for a Healthy and Social Life
Developed in line with SDG 3, "Healthy and Quality Life," the SociaFit mobile app provides solutions to the challenges of modern life, including inactivity, social isolation, and digital addiction. The project aims to both strengthen social interactions and support social well-being by increasing individuals' physical activity. Project Team: Ahmet Boztemur, Hasan Özgür Doğan, Furkan Uzun, Oğuzhan Yavaş
2. Detection of Fake and Real News: Digital Transparency Against Information Disruption
This project, which aligns with the goals of SDG 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production," and SDG 16, "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," develops an AI-powered system to prevent the spread of fake news. The project aims to raise public awareness by supporting the principles of transparency and accuracy in the information ecosystem. Project Team: Yunus Eren Arslan, Ömer Üçüncü, İremnur Pulat, Tarık Toplu
3. EcoPoint: Responsibility and Innovation in Waste Management
Linked to SDG 12 "Responsible Production and Consumption," SDG 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation," SDG 13 "Climate Action," SDG 14 "Life Below Water," and SDG 15 "Life on Land," the EcoPoint project aims to ensure proper waste collection and digitally manage recycling processes. Through the mobile app, users raise environmental awareness through waste collection activities while contributing to a culture of sustainable living.
These three projects demonstrate that Sakarya University students are not only engaged in technology development but also active participants in global sustainability networks. By supporting the visibility of young entrepreneurs on such platforms, the university continues to make concrete contributions to international cooperation, innovation, and youth engagement.
The University’s First Jean Monnet Module Project Accepted
Sakarya University has achieved another significant success in line with the European Union's education and sustainability policies. Professor Dr. Mustafa Bayrakcı, a faculty member in the Department of Educational Sciences, has been awarded a grant for his Jean Monnet Module project titled "The Role of Sustainable Schools as Key Change Agents in Achieving European Sustainability Goals – SUSTAINEU." This achievement marks the first project to receive Jean Monnet Module support from Sakarya University.
The three-year SUSTAINEU Project aims to reposition educational institutions as key actors in environmental, social, and economic sustainability, in line with the European Union's Green Deal and Sustainable Development Strategy. The project aims to strengthen sustainability awareness, ecological awareness, and a culture of social responsibility among students, teachers, administrators, and policymakers by developing sustainable schools. The project aims to establish a robust collaborative network among civil society, the public sector, and academia, promoting a multi-stakeholder governance approach.
To this end, seminars, workshops, field visits, summer schools, and a project closing summit will be organized throughout the duration of the project. These activities will contribute to the development of sustainability-based school models, enhance teachers' digital and eco-pedagogical competencies, and increase the visibility of sustainable school policies across Europe.
The SUSTAINEU Project stands out as a concrete demonstration of Sakarya University's vision to strengthen international sustainability-based collaborations. Through this project, the university continues to pioneer the development of a culture of sustainable education, climate action, and partnerships both at the European Union and national levels.
CinEd European Union Project Meeting Held at Sakarya University
Sakarya University hosted an international event that strengthened European cultural cooperation and supported young people's creative expression. The first meeting of the 2024 CinEd EU Project, implemented as part of the Creative Europe Media Programme, aimed at strengthening European cinema against Hollywood and encouraging young people to discover it, was hosted by Sakarya University from March 5 to 8.
As part of the project, in which the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema of our university's Faculty of Communication is a partner, representatives from Germany, Portugal, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, and other European countries gathered in Sakarya. The CinEd project, which has been running since 2015, stands out as one of the longest-running cultural cooperation projects in the European Union under the Creative Europe Media Program.
At this year's meeting, representatives from the Portuguese Cinema Association Os Filhos de Lumière, the French Ministry of Education, and the Portuguese Cinema Museum organized training sessions as part of a workshop titled "Training of Trainers: The CinEd Method in Film Reading." Academics, teachers, and researchers from Turkey and Europe participated, conducting practical sessions on how European cinema can be used as a pedagogical tool in education systems. Project evaluation meetings were held on the second day of the program at the Sakarya University Turgut Özal Culture and Congress Center. Participants watched Ahmet Uluçay's "Building Ships from Watermelon Rind" and Faysal Soysal's "Three Ways" to evaluate the unique narrative power of Turkish cinema. The aspects of Turkish cinema that reflect cultural diversity, artistic creativity, and human values were met with interest by European cinema representatives.
This multinational gathering created a platform that strengthened cultural solidarity, knowledge sharing, and cultural dialogue between Europe and Turkey. Sakarya University continues to contribute to European Union cultural policies at the academic level by supporting the principles of cultural sustainability, inclusive education, and cultural diversity through its participation in international events.
The 2nd International Symposium on Teaching Turkish as a Heritage and Foreign Language Successfully Concluded
Sakarya University contributed to a significant international event promoting cultural diversity and linguistic sustainability as part of the Language Tree Project, supported by the European Commission. The 2nd International Symposium on Teaching Turkish as a Heritage Language and a Foreign Language (ISOHTEL), hosted by the YADOT Education Association and organized in collaboration with Istanbul Bilgi University, was successfully held from March 5 to 8, 2024.
This large-scale event brought together Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, Board of Education and Training President Prof. Dr. Cihad Demirli, and Turkish Language Association Vice President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Harun Şahin, Turkish Beyazay Association President Lokman Ayva, Istanbul Bilgi University Rector M. Ege Yazgan, and numerous academics, educators, and civil society representatives.
The symposium also shared scientific outcomes from the Language Tree Project's work packages with the participants. At the symposium, 39 papers from Turkey and abroad were presented over 12 sessions, discussing innovative methods for teaching Turkish. The program concluded with a joint evaluation session by the organizing committee and project representatives.
This event demonstrates that Sakarya University is taking a leading role in cultural sustainability, educational inclusiveness, and digital innovation by strengthening international academic collaborations. The Language Tree Project contributes to the international promotion of Turkish as a cultural bridge across borders and the development of sustainable language policies.
Sakarya University Faculty of Education Hosted an International Education Meeting in Ireland
Sakarya University, a pioneer in efforts to strengthen international solidarity in education, continues to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through projects carried out in collaboration with its strategic partners in Europe. As part of project number 2021-2-TR01-KA210-ADU-000050028, supported by the National Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a multi-stakeholder educational event was held in Donegal, Ireland, under the coordination of the Faculty of Education.
At the event, education experts from European countries, including Romania, Finland, Ireland, and Italy, convened to engage in strategic discussions on the sustainability of educational services in emergencies such as avalanches, earthquakes, floods, and epidemics. Innovative approaches to ensure continuity of education during crises were developed and documented during these meetings, supported by workshops, seminars, and conferences. As a result of these efforts, a book titled "Learning in Difficult Times (LEAD)" and scenario applications will be prepared and presented to the national agencies of the partner countries. These contents will be made available to a wide range of stakeholders to increase resilience in education and ensure sustainable learning opportunities during emergencies. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Yeşil and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Usta from Sakarya University represented Turkey at the event. The meeting also included decisions on new collaborations aimed at improving teacher quality across Europe, as part of the European Commission's "Teacher Academies" initiative. Accordingly, Sakarya University plans to take leadership alongside European stakeholders in teacher education, curriculum development, digital pedagogies, and in-service training by 2025.
This initiative supports Sakarya University's objectives of enhancing international knowledge sharing, promoting inclusivity in education, and fostering resilient learning ecosystems. Through such partnerships, the University remains an active partner in the sustainable transformation of European education.
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