Student clubs with approved ÜNİDES projects met with Prof. Nevzat Tarhan

Under the coordination of Üsküdar University’s Department of Health, Culture and Sports (HCS), student clubs carrying out projects within the scope of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ University Student Clubs Support Program (ÜNİDES) came together with the President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan. During the meeting, the projects carried out throughout the year were evaluated. Emphasizing that prejudice is the biggest obstacle to projects, Tarhan stated that young people contribute to the future with goal-oriented and visionary projects. Director of the Young Minds Academy, Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, also pointed out that students are creating cultural heritage through their work.

The meeting was held at the Senate Hall of the Main Campus and was attended by President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Director of the Young Minds Academy Practice and Research Center Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Head of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports Özcan Demir, HCS Club Coordinator Sadık Paksoy, HCS Deputy Director Kenan Karagöz, and Şerife Ünal Yıldırım, President of the Konya KONES Handicrafts Cooperative and a Traditional Turkish Arts (Calligraphy and Tile Art) artist, along with academicians, club presidents, and students.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Prejudice is the greatest obstacle to projects”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan listened to the students’ socially impactful projects and congratulated them for their efforts. Tarhan stated: “Engaging in such initiatives at a young age is truly valuable. I’d like to thank the Ministry of Youth and Sports. These projects are just the beginning. Without mental transformation, there can be no social transformation; and without social transformation, societal, political, and economic transformations cannot occur. I always emphasize something: ‘Software is harder than hardware.’ Einstein once said, ‘I can break atoms, but I cannot break prejudices.’ Prejudices are the biggest obstacles to projects. Projects that break down these barriers serve our future. Social, cultural, and societal prejudices can block and paralyze a person, and this leads to learned helplessness.”

“Projects are like seeds planted for the future”

Stressing the importance of medium and long-term projects, Tarhan added:
“We need to set a goal for the future, because a person with goals grows. Someone without goals cannot develop themselves, and this is a matter of vision. There’s a well-known story: when Kennedy visited NASA, he asked a janitor what he was doing. The janitor replied, ‘I’m helping to send a man to space.’ That’s vision. The same goes for Mimar Sinan. While building the Süleymaniye or Selimiye Mosque, one laborer said he was working for a daily wage. Another said, ‘I’m building the world’s greatest mosque.’ Same job, different vision. The one who attaches deep meaning to his work progresses quickly , and he becomes a foreman, a master. Life is just like that. If you view a project with this mindset, you move forward. Never underestimate your projects because they are seeds for the future. If you define your goals and strategy well, those projects will one day grow into fruitful trees. Medium and long-term projects are especially valuable. That’s why it is important to follow through. We also have social projects that need attention, because what hinders us most as a society is hopelessness and pessimism. A person with a project does not fall into despair. If they have a goal and a long-term vision, they do not give up easily when they face failure. Projects give people resilience. That’s why you should always have a goal, always have a project.”

Dr. Nebiye Yaşar: “Through these projects, you are leaving a cultural legacy for the future”

As part of the meeting, Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Director of the Young Minds Academy Practice and Research Center, gave a speech and said: “Today is a very special day. One of the quotes our professor Prof. Nevzat Tarhan often emphasizes is, ‘What did you do for your project today?’ You have given the best answer to that question. I wholeheartedly congratulate and applaud all of you. Let me continue with another one of his important messages: ‘Have a passionate life purpose.’ This year, the passion you poured into the 27 projects supported by ÜNİDES has been truly admirable. The ÜNİDES President from the Ministry of Youth and Sports called us and said, ‘What have you done? These are amazing projects, and you have raised such well-equipped students!’ These words made us proud. You’ve made a very meaningful start with your work, and I hope it continues just as beautifully. The German philosopher Marc Leibniz said, ‘Whoever directs youth toward good, directs humanity toward good.’ Through these projects, you are leaving a cultural legacy for the future. We are proud of each and every one of you.”

 

Club presentations were held

Following the opening speeches, HCS Director Özcan Demir presented a summary of the clubs’ activities.

 

Certificates were presented to students

After the presentations, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan and Sadık Paksoy presented participation certificates and the book “Being a Conscious Youth” to the students.

 

Prof. Tarhan received a special gift

As part of the program, Şerife Ünal Yıldırım, President of Konya KONES Handicrafts Cooperative and an artist in Traditional Turkish Calligraphy and Tile Arts, presented a handmade artwork to Prof. Nevzat Tarhan as a gift.

The program concluded with a group photo session.

 

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)