Expanding Horizons: Engaging Beyond Campus with Educational Outreach Initiatives
Our Academicians in the Community
Our University is deeply committed to educational outreach activities and community engagement. These initiatives are aligned with our university's vision of promoting sustainability and making education accessible to all.
(https://kalite.itu.edu.tr/hakkimizda/kalite-belgeleri/kalite-belgeleri-politikalar/toplumsal-katki-politikasi).
From summer schools to volunteer education programs, teacher academies, and collaborative projects with different organizations, we are actively contributing to the educational development of our community. ITU has established protocols with the Turkish Ministry of Education (MEB), facilitating active involvement of ITU academicians in various educational initiatives.
Istanbul Technical University (ITU) fosters strong collaboration with ITU MTAL High School and ITU Music Middle School through various administrative and teaching roles. Academician from the ITU School of Foreign Languages is actively involved, providing lectures to 85 students across three different levels for two semesters. This engagement exemplifies ITU's commitment to educational outreach and development at the secondary school level.
ITU Faculty of Computer and Informatics professor, Prof. Dr. Berk Üstündağ, gave a seminar titled "Artificial Intelligence and Industry Opportunities." Üstündağ provided information on the history of artificial intelligence, its future, the transformations it will bring in various industries, and the job opportunities it will create. (https://itumtal.com/)
As part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Republic, the 250th anniversary of our university, and the 25th anniversary of the club, the 6th ITU Astronomy Days took place on April 11-12 at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center. The event attracted a wide audience, offering informative sessions and interactive activities. Participants had the opportunity to engage with experts in the field, and the event was also broadcast live, reaching an even broader audience. The success of the event reflects the strong interest in astronomy within our community.
https://astronomi.itu.edu.tr/events/vi-itu-gokbilim-gunleri/
Additionally, our departments host a wide range of seminars accessible online.
Furthermore, the ITU Continuing Education Center offers educational opportunities to the general public on diverse topics: http://itusem.itu.edu.tr/egitimler-ve-programlar
Our Students in the Community
In the vibrant ecosystem of our university, student clubs play a pivotal role not only within the campus but also beyond its boundaries. These clubs are more than just extracurricular organizations; they are dynamic engines of change and community engagement.
ITU Volunteering Club
ITU Volunteering Club's project called 'Bir Başka Yol' (Another Path) aims to support high school students facing financial or personal limitations in showing interest in education and attending private tutoring. ITU students leverage their knowledge and resources to assist these students, providing lessons for the university entrance exams and fostering an educational mindset. The project also offers tailored exam guidance, necessary support, and promotes a sense of community among university students, allowing them to benefit from social and cultural experiences. In line with project, a team of university students dedicated their time in programmed basis to assist 12th-grade high school students in their university entrance exam preparation.
(https://www.instagram.com/birbaskayol/)
As an Ad-Hoc event, 'Umut Okulları' (Hope School) Project, the ITU Volunteering Club undertook visits to different primary schools. On 10th of July, 2023, they visited Earthquake zone, Hatay Tent City, to provide different workshops to attendees. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CukF3LKqG2-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
ITU Environmental Engineering Club
Tears of Water is a civil society initiative carried out by ITU Environmental Engineering Club students since 2008. In this project, our students aim to create an environmental awareness in children at an early age. Therefore, they provide education to our young friends at primary schools, who are the future. They are the most important part of creating an environmentally-conscious society. Through collaborating with universities in different provinces, we reach out to other students in Turkey.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/suyun-g%C3%B6zya%C5%9Flar%C4%B1/posts/
Inline with projects objectives, they won award from CEVKO Green Dot Student Awards in the category of Environmental Social Responsibility Practices. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/suyun-g%C3%B6zya%C5%9Flar%C4%B1_%C3%A7evko-vakf%C4%B1-ye%C5%9Fil-nokta-%C3%B6%C4%9Frenci-%C3%B6d%C3%BClleri-activity-7144346525446443009-rhXO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop).
The aim of the ÇMK Academy project is to introduce environmental engineering and ITU to high school students. On Tuesday, November 28th, CMK Academy were at ITU MTAL Highschool. (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/%C3%A7mk-akademi_28-kas%C4%B1m-sal%C4%B1-g%C3%BCn%C3%BC-i%CC%87t%C3%BC-mesleki-ve-teknik-activity-7136328406157176835-9u0x?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop)
The aim of the Red Crescent Club is to instill feelings of solidarity, cooperation and compassion; to help children, the elderly, the disabled, the needy and everyone who needs us; to come together to understand and explain them. Red Crescent Club met at the Let Your Salt in the Soup Event with the participation of 15 people on October 17, 2023. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CygIeDPsO-M/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
ITU UNIFEB Club held the 7th of the Bright Future When Children Smile Project in Karaman, on 5 May, 2023 with the participation of 20 people. Students who visited the school as part of the project had a good time playing fun games with the children and at the end of the day, they delivered the gifts they prepared for the students in the school (https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr3mTmmNZGb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==).
Links for more information:
ITU Internal Report of 2023:
https://kalite.itu.edu.tr/docs/librariesprovider211/dokumanlar/ki-dr/k%c4%b1dr-2023_v2.pdf?sfvrsn=4
ITU Community Outreach Policy:
https://kalite.itu.edu.tr/hakkimizda/kalite-belgeleri/kalite-belgeleri-politikalar/toplumsal-katki-politikasi