Sakarya University advances aquatic ecosystem literacy through interdisciplinary teaching and public science engagement. Situated within the Sapanca Lake watershed and a landscape of rivers and wetlands, the university connects freshwater and marine biodiversity, pollution prevention and sustainable resource use with learning opportunities for students and the wider community. Its educational activities continued in 2025 through academic programmes, experiential learning and the regional Science&Future – The Science for Stronger Societies initiative.
Faculty members in Environmental Engineering, Biology, Chemistry and related disciplines provide an educational foundation for understanding water quality, aquatic organisms, ecosystem pressures and environmental management. This foundation enables learners to connect scientific concepts with real-world challenges affecting lakes, rivers, coastal environments and the ecosystems they support.
The university’s teaching portfolio introduces students to the ecological, engineering and management dimensions of aquatic ecosystem conservation. In particular, the following subject areas support knowledge and skills relevant to SDG 14:
1. Water Pollution Control – addressing pollutant sources, transport, impacts and treatment approaches in aquatic systems.
2. Aquatic Ecology – examining ecological interactions, aquatic biodiversity and environmental factors shaping freshwater and marine habitats.
3. Fisheries and Aquaculture – exploring sustainable production practices, aquatic resources and the environmental protection of aquaculture systems.
4. Environmental Biotechnology – introducing biological technologies for wastewater treatment, nutrient management and resource recovery.
5. Marine and Freshwater Pollution – investigating contaminant behaviour, monitoring concepts and techniques relevant to ecosystem protection.
Courses and related teaching in Marine Pollution Control and Sustainable Water Management further connect water-quality protection with responsible use of aquatic resources. Together, these areas of study develop the scientific literacy required to recognize ecological risks and participate in sustainable water and ecosystem management.
In 2025, the university continued coordinating Science&Future, a Horizon Europe MSCA & Citizens science-engagement project operating through a partnership involving Sakarya University, Kocaeli University, Düzce University, Sakarya Governorship and additional regional stakeholders. The project continued into 2026 and brought researchers into contact with school students and the public through interactive science activities. Its themes—including environmental pollution, microplastics, climate change and sustainability—strengthen understanding of pressures that also affect aquatic ecosystems.
An example of 2025 public engagement was the European Researchers’ Night held at Kocaeli University on 26 September 2025, where the Science&Future partnership brought scientific work into direct contact with students and the public through stands and interactive activities. The project also delivered a school visit to TED Düzce College on 18 November 2025, during which university researchers gave presentations and involved students in scientific experiments addressing climate change and possible solutions. Additional 2025 school outreach records demonstrate the project’s educational reach beyond university classrooms.
Figure 1. TED Düzce college
Environmental education at Sakarya University is further supported by hands-on encounters with operating water infrastructure. Through 2025 educational visits involving SASKİ, students observed treatment facilities and learned about the practical processes used to manage drinking water and wastewater. Medical students’ participation in drinking-water treatment visits also helped illustrate the connection between water quality, sanitation and public health. Such experiences reinforce classroom learning about pollution prevention and the management of systems that protect receiving waters.
The university’s educational reach extends beyond regular coursework through partnerships that connect academic institutions, schools, public bodies and regional service providers. In 2025, Science&Future activities linked scientific knowledge with community audiences in Sakarya, Kocaeli and Düzce, while educational engagement with SASKİ exposed students to the operation of essential environmental infrastructure. These activities make issues such as environmental pollution, water quality and sustainable resource use tangible and accessible to a range of learners.
By combining its academic teaching portfolio with community-oriented science communication and practical educational visits, Sakarya University fosters understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the responsibilities associated with their protection. This educational approach supports SDG 14: Life Below Water by strengthening awareness of aquatic biodiversity, pollution pressures and sustainable management of freshwater and marine environments.
Figure 2. Community and institutional engagement related to aquatic ecosystem education and sustainable water-resource management in 2025.
