At Sakarya University, social aid and educational outreach activities beyond the campus are implemented through student communities and university units dedicated to social contribution and learning. These activities—conducted under the university’s community contribution and lifelong learning framework—include support for surrounding villages, donations of educational and financial materials, theater performances for children, inclusive games and creative sessions for students with special needs, establishment of local libraries, and food-aid initiatives. The university supports these community-driven efforts both financially and by providing materials, logistics, and supervision.
Throughout 2024, Sakarya University extended education and social engagement beyond its campus by collaborating with local schools, hospitals, and social care institutions to deliver community-oriented outreach. University departments, TOKAS, and volunteer student groups conducted recurring educational and enrichment sessions in off-site public venues, combining science, art, sustainability, and cultural learning in practical and inclusive ways.
A key example was the Hospital School Project, coordinated by the Cultural Directorate (SKS), in partnership with the Sakarya Training and Research Hospital. University volunteers organized multiple visits throughout the year to the pediatric oncology and hematology wards, where they delivered engaging educational and creative activities. These included hands-on science demonstrations (Van de Graaff and Tesla coil electricity experiments, solar observation through telescopes, volcano and lava-lamp projects, and DNA extraction from bananas), as well as music performances, origami and animation workshops, and theater performances designed to promote joy, curiosity, and learning among hospitalized children.
In parallel, projects under the title 'Sevgiye Engel Yok / Sevgide Engel Yok' brought university students together with children and individuals with special needs at public rehabilitation and day-care centers affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. These sessions involved arts and crafts, science games, nutrition awareness, and social inclusion activities, reinforcing empathy and volunteerism among university participants.
Beyond these recurring initiatives, TOKAS (Sustainability Platform) organized awareness sessions and community trainings such as the 'Energy Conservation Week Education' and the 'Zero Waste Management Seminar within the Framework of Sustainable Schools', broadening outreach to teachers, families, and young learners across the region. Similarly, the 'Children on Campus' project invited primary school pupils for interactive science and cultural workshops, further bridging the gap between the university and the local community.
Throughout 2024, student communities at Sakarya University actively implemented community-oriented educational and social outreach programs in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and rural areas, in alignment with the university’s mission of societal contribution and inclusive learning.
1) Health Literacy and Prevention Education: The Green Crescent Student Club, Social Work Student Club, and Health Sciences student associations delivered workshops for children and youth addressing healthy lifestyle awareness, digital balance, addiction prevention, and emotional self-regulation. These sessions strengthened health literacy, preventive coping behaviors, and youth empowerment. / Key Impact Terms: health literacy; preventive education; youth empowerment
2) Hospital-Based Education and Psychosocial Support: Through the Hospital School initiative, Social Work Student volunteers, Medical Faculty students, and Child Development communities facilitated year-round activities in pediatric units, including creative play, storytelling, and science demonstrations. These interactions supported both continuity of learning and emotional resilience for children undergoing long-term treatment. / Key Impact Terms: continuity of learning; hospital-based education; psychosocial support
3) Inclusive Learning for Individuals with Special Needs: Student groups focusing on special education, rhythm & movement, and social responsibility conducted sensory workshops, communication-based learning, rhythm-dance activities, and handicraft sessions in special education and rehabilitation centers. These initiatives promoted social participation, self-expression, and inclusive education for children and youth with diverse needs. / Key Impact Terms: inclusive education; special needs engagement; equal participation
4) Educational Support in Rural and Village Schools: Arts, Social Responsibility, Pedagogical Drama, and Engineering student communities carried out field visits to village schools, organizing creative arts workshops, playground and classroom improvements, mural painting, and mini-science experiments. These efforts enhanced educational equity, strengthened students’ sense of belonging, and improved learning access in rural areas. / Key Impact Terms: rural learning access; community-based education; educational equity
5) Internationalization and Global Learning Mobility: The ESN (Erasmus Student Network) conducted outreach in high schools and university senior classes to inform students about Erasmus+ study opportunities and intercultural learning pathways, supporting widening participation in global education and forward-looking academic planning. / Key Impact Terms: international mobility; widening participation; global citizenship
6) Cybersecurity and Digital Literacy Awareness: The Cybersecurity Student Club hosted public workshops on digital safety and basic information security practices, contributing to strengthened digital literacy and safe online behavior among youth and community members. / Key Impact Terms: digital literacy; cyber awareness; safe online behavior
7) Solidarity and Community Support Campaigns: Student organizations coordinated donation drives, scholarship fundraising, and book-clothing support campaigns to assist disadvantaged children and families, reinforcing a campus culture grounded in volunteerism, mutual solidarity, and community resilience. / Key Impact Terms: solidarity; volunteerism; community resilience
These activities—publicly documented through Sakarya University’s news, culture, and TOKAS platforms—demonstrate continuous, multi-domain societal engagement, directly supporting the university’s strategic objectives in lifelong learning, inclusive community development, and social contribution.
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