Sakarya University provides access to educational resources and lifelong learning opportunities for individuals who are not formally enrolled at the university by offering diverse training programs, public workshops, and open-access educational activities. Through the Continuing Education Center (SAÜSEM), the TOKAS (Social Contribution and Sustainability Office) Sustainability Platform, and the University Career Development Center, the institution systematically organizes and delivers vocational, technical, and professional development programs throughout the year—demonstrating a strong commitment to lifelong education and community inclusion.
Sakarya University, as part of a Council of Higher Education (YÖK)–led initiative, has established a Science Communication Office to connect academic knowledge with society. In 2024, the Office organised a series of public science talks, including “Earthquakes in Türkiye and Lessons Learned,” “Safe Food = Healthy Tomorrows,” and “Who Teaches—Human or Machine? Who Is in the Classroom of the Future?”
In 2024, Sakarya University implemented a wide range of publicly accessible professional and vocational training activities designed for working adults, job seekers, and the wider community. These included both online and on-campus programs advertised openly through official news feeds and event calendars, with transparent application procedures and certification upon completion. At SAÜSEM, numerous certificate and skills-based courses were made available to external participants, including: Micro MBA Certificate Program (management and leadership training), Trainer Training Certificate Program, Payroll and Social Security Procedures Training, HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) Certificate Program (Dec 2024 – Jan 2025), Diction Certificate Program (face-to-face, 28–29 Dec 2024), 4–6 Age Child Education & Activities Certificate Program (distance learning), Zeka Oyunları (Mind Games) Instructor Training Course, Regulatory and Exam-Preparation Courses such as Public Oversight Institution Distance Training, etc. Additionally, SAÜSEM continued to deliver short-term professional skills modules in time management, communication, and compliance practices, each awarding verifiable certificates of completion to successful participants.
In 2024, aligned with MSCA’s European Researchers’ Night, Sakarya University led the Science & Future programme, staging simultaneous public‑engagement events on 27 September across Sakarya, Kocaeli, and Düzce (Science & Future; European Researchers’ Night — Sakarya University 2024). The programme is embedded in a year‑round pipeline, including 2024 “Researchers at School” visits, with published programmes, photos, and news items that document reach and participation (2024 School Visits; Media Coverage). Cross‑sector partnerships—with provincial governorates, the Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of National Education, and Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası T.A.O.—and coordination among three universities underscore scalability and regional breadth (Kocaeli University 2024; Düzce University 2024). In 2024, 88 researchers took part, and engagements reached more than 10,000 people across the region, providing clear evidence of impact through heightened public awareness. Together, these activities advance MSCA objectives by widening access to science, strengthening science literacy, and sustaining researcher–society dialogue.
The TOKAS Sustainability Platform hosted thematic micro-credential and vocational trainings supporting sustainable development and gender equality, including the Women in Business Micro-Credential Program (Modules I & II, 4–12 May 2024) at the Technocity Incubation Center, covering leadership, communication, and project management; the Aromatherapy Basic Approach Training (31 May 2024, online); and the Violence Prevention Strategies training (12 December 2024) focused on workplace and community awareness.
Meanwhile, the University Career Development Center organized several open professional-development events such as the CV Preparation & Interview Art Workshop (15 October 2024) and LinkedIn Training and Kampüste Suwen Var professional networking event (November–December 2024), which strengthened employability and digital communication skills among students and external participants. As part of the collaboration between Sakarya University and Akyazı State Hospital, staff psychologist Murat Erdem delivered professional training for hospital personnel on Effective Communication, Dealing with Difficult People, Anger Management, and Stress Management. As a collaboration between SAU’s Medico‑Social Health Centre (Guidance and Counselling Unit) and the University Career Coordination Office, a student‑focused workshop series was launched; the first session of the “From Cycle to Balance” workshop was delivered in 2024 to promote student wellbeing and self‑management.
Between 6 November 2024 and 15 January 2025, under a cooperation protocol with the Sakarya Provincial Health Directorate, Sakarya University delivered a 16‑session psychoeducation programme for hospital personnel across the province, covering Stress Management, Anger Management, Effective Communication, and Dealing with Difficult Personalities. The initiative strengthened the occupational resilience and psychosocial well‑being of health workers, and a further eight‑session programme was scheduled to commence in May 2025 at the regional training and research hospital.
Moreover, university media reported community-oriented short courses such as the Basic Turkish Sign Language Course and Artificial Intelligence Summer School, which were open to the general public and regional stakeholders.
Collectively, these 2024 initiatives illustrate Sakarya University’s strong, institution-wide commitment to lifelong learning, vocational upskilling, and public accessibility, offering both short courses and structured certificate programs that address managerial, technical, and social skills development beyond formal degree education.
