GTU Youth Boutique Opens at Its New Location

July 16, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
 

— Renewed through the collaboration of the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) Gebze Branch and the Gebze Technical University (GTU) Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports, the GTU Youth Boutique (Genç Butik) has opened at its new location in the university's former Business Administration building with a modern new look.

— Speaking at the opening ceremony, Celalettin Kurt, President of the Turkish Red Crescent Gebze Branch, stated that the boutique would serve as a continuous bridge of solidarity and support for students.

— GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar emphasized that the project is founded on the principle of volunteerism and announced that the university's divisions would work together to ensure that students could benefit from the boutique without hesitation.
 

The GTU Youth Boutique officially opened its doors at its new location with a ceremony, further strengthening the University's social support and solidarity network for students.
 

Renewed with the support of the Turkish Red Crescent Gebze Branch and organized by the Gebze Technical University (GTU) Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports, the GTU Youth Boutique was reopened at its new location in GTU's former Business Administration building, featuring a modern appearance and an expanded range of products. The opening ceremony was attended by GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar; Celalettin Kurt, Turkish Red Crescent Gebze Branch President; Hikmet Tatoğlu, Gebze District Director of Youth and Sports; İlhan Kadıoğlu, MD, Gebze District Health Director; Alper Demir, President of the Gebze Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen; representatives of the Turkish Red Crescent; and numerous GTU staff members. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, important messages were shared regarding the project's social impact and sustainability.
 

"We Will Continue To Meet Our Students' Needs Without Interruption"

Delivering the opening speech, Celalettin Kurt, President of the Turkish Red Crescent Gebze Branch, emphasized that the Youth Boutique is not merely a place where clothing and essential items are provided, but also serves as a bridge of solidarity. Kurt said:
 

"While modernizing our boutique, we aimed to create a dynamic structure that our students can access and benefit from whenever they need it. The contributions of the Gebze Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen throughout this process have been extremely valuable to us. We aim to establish a sustainable ecosystem where our students can come without any hesitation and meet their needs. We will continue to keep alive on this campus the spirit of solidarity that sustains our society."
 

Emphasis on Volunteerism and an Enduring Culture of Solidarity

In his speech, GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar emphasized that the greatest strength behind the Youth Boutique is the principle of volunteerism. He stated that these efforts, carried out without any expectation of financial gain, are among the clearest manifestations of the long-standing culture of solidarity that runs through the very fabric of our society. Rector Mantar said:
 

"The only force that ensures our streets are not filled with homeless and helpless people is this spirit of sharing that comes from within us, from our faith, and from our deeply rooted traditions. Projects such as the Youth Boutique are structures that safeguard the security, future, and well-being of our society."
 

Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar also announced that university's divisions would take an active role in eliminating any hesitation students in need might feel about benefiting from the boutique:
 

"While preserving the finest aspects of our traditions, we must also break down the barriers that prevent students in need from making use of places like this. To this end, our university's Women and Family Studies Center and Social Impact Coordination Office will carry out joint initiatives. By encouraging our student groups to visit the boutique naturally, we will transform it into a more active, accessible, and socially attractive hub."
 

Referring to the importance of maintaining trust in our state's institutions, Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar thanked the Turkish Red Crescent, all local stakeholders who contributed to the project, the Gebze Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, and the university's staff. He concluded by expressing his hope that the GTU Youth Boutique would be beneficial to all GTU students.