In 2025, Sakarya University joined DigiWater, an international project dedicated to advancing digital water education in Africa. Through this initiative, the university contributes its academic expertise to international cooperation aimed at improving access to water-related knowledge and promoting sustainable water management practices. By integrating innovative digital learning approaches with scientific knowledge on water resources, the project supports the development of accessible educational opportunities and strengthens awareness of water conservation, water security, and sustainable resource management.
Sakarya University's participation in DigiWater reflects its commitment to extending educational and scientific contributions beyond campus boundaries. The initiative fosters international knowledge exchange, supports capacity building in water management, and contributes to the broader objectives of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, particularly by promoting education and awareness related to sustainable water use.
Figure 1. Example of a Webinar of Digiwater project
Sakarya University strengthens practical education in water management and environmental sustainability through its collaboration with the Sakarya Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKİ). In 2025, the university organized educational visits to drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities, providing students, including those from the Faculty of Medicine, with opportunities to explore water treatment technologies and municipal water management practices firsthand. During these technical visits, participants gained valuable insights into drinking water purification, wastewater treatment processes, water quality monitoring, and the importance of safe water supplies for public health.
These educational activities bridge academic knowledge and real-world applications, enhancing participants' understanding of sustainable water management and sanitation infrastructure. By connecting university education with regional water management institutions, Sakarya University promotes interdisciplinary learning, environmental responsibility, and awareness of the critical relationship between water quality, public health, and sustainable development. These initiatives contribute to the university's broader commitment to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation through applied education and institutional knowledge exchange.
Figure 2. Medical students visiting water and wastewater treatment plants
In 2025, Sakarya University actively contributed to regional water conservation efforts by providing scientific support for the Sapanca Lake Action Plan, an initiative focused on protecting one of the region's most important freshwater resources. Sapanca Lake plays a vital role in meeting regional water demands, making its sustainable management essential for long-term water security and environmental resilience.
Through its scientific involvement, Sakarya University contributes academic knowledge and research-based perspectives to regional water resource management and conservation planning. The initiative emphasizes the importance of protecting freshwater ecosystems, addressing challenges associated with changing water levels, and developing sustainable approaches to water resource management.
By extending its scientific expertise beyond campus boundaries, Sakarya University supports regional efforts to safeguard freshwater resources and promote responsible water management. This contribution demonstrates the university's commitment to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, particularly through scientific engagement in off-campus water conservation and the long-term sustainability of regional water resources.
Figure 3. Sapanca Lake Action Plan meeting
In 2025, reports highlighting the declining water levels of Sapanca Lake drew attention to the growing challenges of regional water scarcity and the importance of sustainable freshwater resource management. The visible retreat of the lake's shoreline, particularly from areas surrounding Sakarya University, emphasized the need for effective water conservation strategies and long-term environmental planning.
Against this background, Sakarya University's scientific contribution to the Sapanca Lake Action Plan reflects its engagement in addressing regional water sustainability challenges. By connecting academic expertise with regional environmental priorities, the university supports efforts to protect freshwater resources, strengthen water conservation planning, and promote sustainable water management beyond campus boundaries. These activities reinforce the university's commitment to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and highlight the importance of science-based approaches to regional water security.
Figure 4. The visible retreat of Sapanca Lake from the vantage point of the Sakarya University campus
In 2025, Sakarya University strengthened its engagement in regional water security through its scientific contribution to the Sapanca Lake Action Plan, an initiative aimed at protecting one of the region's most significant freshwater resources. As a vital source of freshwater for the Sakarya region, Sapanca Lake plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability, supporting local communities, and maintaining ecological sustainability.
Through its involvement in the action plan, Sakarya University contributes scientific expertise and research-based knowledge to regional water resource management and conservation planning. This engagement strengthens the connection between academic research and regional water management efforts, supporting informed decision-making and sustainable approaches to addressing water scarcity, changing water levels, and long-term water security challenges.
By integrating academic expertise into regional water security initiatives, Sakarya University demonstrates its commitment to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Its scientific contribution supports the development of evidence-based approaches to freshwater protection, sustainable water resource management, and the long-term resilience of regional water systems.
Figure 5. Discussions were held regarding a collaboration between Sakarya University and SASKI, as part of efforts aimed at preserving the ecological balance of Sapanca Lake.
Sakarya University further strengthened its institutional engagement with the Sakarya Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKİ) through technical visits and educational activities focused on water management and treatment infrastructure. In 2025, university students visited SASKİ's treatment facilities, where they gained firsthand knowledge of drinking water treatment processes, water quality management, and the operation of municipal water infrastructure.
These activities fostered knowledge exchange between Sakarya University and the regional water utility, strengthening the connection between academic education and practical water management. By facilitating direct engagement with essential water supply and treatment systems, the university and SASKİ contributed to raising awareness of water security, sustainable infrastructure management, and the importance of reliable access to clean water. This institutional engagement reflects Sakarya University's commitment to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and supports broader regional efforts toward sustainable water resource management.
Figure 6. SAU students visiting SASKI Wastewater Treatment Plant
In 2025, Sakarya University actively promoted responsible water consumption and environmental awareness among its students and academic staff through the “Water Efficiency and Our Water Footprint” (Su Verimliliği ve Su Ayak İzimiz) event. Organized by the Community Engagement and Sustainability Coordination Office as part of the Sustainable Future Meetings series in recognition of World Water Day (22 March), the event supported SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by promoting sustainable water consumption, individual responsibility, and practical water conservation strategies within the university community.
During the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rabia Köklü, a faculty member of the Department of Environmental Engineering, delivered an informative presentation on efficient water use, everyday water-saving practices, strategies for reducing individual water footprints, and measures to address water scarcity and the global water crisis. A key component of the programme was an interactive water footprint assessment, during which participants calculated their individual water footprints and gained a clearer understanding of how daily consumption habits influence freshwater resources and environmental sustainability.
The event brought together academic staff, students, and student organizations, encouraging active participation and interdisciplinary engagement in water sustainability. By integrating scientific knowledge with practical self-assessment, Sakarya University strengthened water conservation awareness across its campus and encouraged participants to adopt more responsible water consumption habits. This initiative reflects the university's continued commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability and integrating conscious water use into everyday
Figure 7. SAU Sustainable Future Meetings: Water Efficiency and Our Water Footprint
In 2025, Sakarya University expanded its commitment to promoting sustainable water use and environmental awareness beyond campus boundaries through its participation in DigiWater, an international initiative focused on digital water education in Africa. The project brings together international partners to promote water-related knowledge, strengthen educational capacity, and support awareness of sustainable water resource management. By integrating digital learning technologies with scientific expertise, the initiative aims to make water education more accessible to wider communities and encourage responsible approaches to water consumption and conservation.
Through its involvement in DigiWater, Sakarya University contributes to international knowledge exchange and the development of educational approaches that support water sustainability. The initiative extends the university's community engagement efforts beyond the local region, emphasizing the importance of accessible education, environmental responsibility, and collective action in addressing water-related challenges. This international engagement reflects the university's commitment to advancing SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation through education and the promotion of sustainable water management practices.
At the regional level, Sakarya University also contributed to freshwater conservation efforts through its scientific involvement in the Sapanca Lake Action Plan. As one of the region's most important freshwater resources, Sapanca Lake plays a vital role in water availability, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of surrounding communities. The university's scientific contribution supports regional efforts to address water scarcity, protect freshwater ecosystems, and strengthen sustainable water resource planning.
By connecting academic expertise with regional environmental challenges and international educational initiatives, Sakarya University promotes greater understanding of the importance of freshwater conservation and responsible water management. These activities demonstrate the university's broader commitment to community engagement, environmental awareness, and the long-term sustainability of water resources.
