Two Meaningful Projects From GTU Focused on Social Awareness and Solidarity

January 2, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
 

Gebze Technical University (GTU), within the framework of its social impact vision, carries out the “Intergenerational Solidarity” and “Let Hands Speak” projects on the same day, boosting the morale of nursing home residents while also building a bridge of communication with individuals with hearing impairments.

In addition to its academic achievements, Gebze Technical University (GTU) continues to stand out through its social responsibility initiatives. Two separate events organized on Friday, December 26, 2025, under the leadership of the Social Impact Coordination Offiice and with the support of various stakeholders, once again demonstrated the university’s strong impact in the field of social awareness.

An Intergenerational Bridge of Solidarity at the Nursing Home

The first event of the day was held at the Gebze Nursing Home with the support of YasDer. Organized under the title “Musical Support for Intergenerational Solidarity,” the program brought together university staff and volunteer students with nursing home residents. The social responsibility project in focus was successfully carried out under the coordination of Project Supervisor Ferhat Bingöl and Hazal Uslu, a staff member of the Social Impact Coordination Office. As part of the event, the "bağlama" performance delivered by Instructor Ünal Dursun was met with great interest by the participants and added cultural depth to the project.

During the event, folk songs reflecting Anatolia’s rich cultural heritage were sung collectively, fostering a strong atmosphere of communication between younger generations and elderly individuals. Appreciation was extended to YasDer President Aytül Kanburoğlu and the management of the Gebze Nursing Home for their contributions and hospitality in bringing the event to life.

“Let Hands Speak” Awareness at the Faculty of Business Administration

On the same day, within the framework of the vision of an inclusive and accessible life, a “Sign Language Training and Let Hands Speak Event” was organized at the GTU Faculty of Business Administration. Conducted as part of the Career Planning course, the project was coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Fatma Karaoğlu-Ceyhan, Course Instructor, and İbrahim Yağşi, Student and Event Coordinator,  introducing students to the culture of individuals with hearing impairments.

With the participation of Pınar Şahin Avcı, Assistant Manager of the Gebze Public Education Center, and sign language course trainees, a comprehensive workshop was delivered by Sign Language Instructor and Interpreter Nigar Sevinç. During the event, students learned to express universal values such as “kindness,” “solidarity,” and “love” through sign language and engaged in an interactive experience by encoding their names using the finger alphabet on specially prepared boards.

Through these projects, GTU continues to go beyond campus boundaries, fostering social values and promoting an inclusive communication environment.