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May 14, 2025 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
The 8th “From Cocoon to Butterfly” Accessible Youth Festival are held with colorful events at GTU.
Within the scope of Disability Awareness Week, Gebze Technical University (GTU) continued to overcome barriers through art, science, and solidarity with the 8th edition of the “From Cocoon to Butterfly” Accessible Youth Festival. Held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the GTU Festival Area, the event attracted attention with its broad participation and rich program.
A Meeting Point for Social Awareness and Participation Organized under the coordination of the GTU Accessibility Division, the festival aimed to integrate different disability groups with the university and the social environment. The event brought together various special education institutions, non-governmental organizations, social service associations, university students, and academic and administrative staff, providing a valuable platform for all segments of society to engage in meaningful sharing.
Rector Mantar: “Society Is Strengthened by All Its Members” In his opening speech, GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar emphasized the importance of equal participation of individuals with disabilities in social life. Stating, “We have embarked on this path with the motto ‘hand in hand for an accessible life,’ we organize more heart-touching events each year,” Mantar noted that GTU’s “Accessible Campus” policies focus not only on physical, but also mental transformation. He conveyed the message that “A society can only be strengthened and developed with the inclusion of all its members.”
Prof. Meral Elçi: “Empathy and Solidarity Are Essential” The head of the festival’s organizing committee, Rector’s Adviser Prof. Meral Elçi, highlighted the importance of the event in terms of empathy and raising social awareness. “Let us not forget that the real barriers are created by those whose hearts lack love and compassion,” said Elçi, adding that they also focus on increasing physical accessibility on campus through projects like the “Barrier Hunt.”
Thank-You Plaques to the GTU Accessible Festival Team Thank-you plaques were presented to the academic and administrative staff who contributed to the organization of the 8th “From Cocoon to Butterfly” Accessible Youth Festival. In the ceremony attended by Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar, Vice-Rectors Prof. Elif Damla Arısan and Prof. Hasari Çelebi, Gebze Municipality Deputy Mayor Şener Akın, and Turkish Red Crescent Gebze Branch President Celalettin Kurt, plaques were awarded to members of the organizing committee: Asst. Prof. Pınar Tat, Lecturer Gülay Murat (Phd), Laboratory Assistant Songül Koyuncu, Research Assistant Neslihan Başaran (PhD), Research Assistant Suat Mumcu, Computer Operator Merve Erdem, and Tuğkan Arıcı (PhD) and Selen Bakış (PhD), Research Assistants from the Faculty of Business Administration.
Day-Long Events Attract Great Interest The festival opened in the morning with a marching band and hosted a variety of events ranging from dance and music performances to poetry readings, public concerts, and robot demonstrations. Dance and folk performances by the Gebze Association for Individuals with Down Syndrome and Disabilities and Tacirler Special Education School received great acclaim, while the “Seeing Hands” (Gören Eller) Choir moved the audience emotionally.
Later in the day, participants attended an Artificial Intelligence class hosted by Prof. Yusuf Sinan Akgül, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, held at the Faculty of Business Administration. The session explored the past, present, and future of AI, and certificates of achievement were presented to participants at the end. Clinical Psychologist Ahmet Yasin Büyükurvay conducted a Breathing Exercise Workshop, engaging participants from various age groups. Throughout the day, the festival area featured activities such as face painting, mask-making, ceramics, karaoke, robot demonstrations, and the “Accessible Colors” exhibition. The festival concluded with a lively concert by folk music singer Onur Yaman.
A Strong Message for an Accessible Future Aiming to strengthen social responsibility awareness in society, the festival was well-received by both participants and visitors. Food and drinks were served throughout the day, and play and entertainment areas were set up for young guests. The event, filled with colorful scenes, became not only a festival, but also a powerful call for awareness under the slogan “Hand in Hand for an Accessible Life from Cocoon to Butterfly.”
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