'Children’s' university for Izmir

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) established the ‘Children's University Research and Application Center’ with the aim of supporting the development of children, families and educators and producing projects that will become a model for Turkey in this regard. Activities, workshops and training programs in many fields including art, engineering, sports, social areas will be organized for children aged 0-18, families, and educators in the center, which was opened with the approval of the Council of Higher Education (YOK) and started its activities. Stating that they have taken a very important step that will set an example for university-society cooperation, Mahmut Özgener, President of IUE Board of Trustees, said, “We act with the idea that the foundation for healthy generations will be laid at a young age, and we realize special projects with the awareness of our responsibility as a university. IUE Children's University is a good example of this.”

As the first foundation university of the Aegean, IUE, which carries out studies for all segments of the society, added a new one to these and became a 'children-friendly university'. The ‘Children's University Research and Application Center’, which aims to help development of children in different fields such as science, art, culture, language, health, sports, and technology, and provide support to families and educators on the issues they need, has created a comprehensive strategic plan for 2022.

WE BUILD THE FUTURE

Mahmut Özgener, President of IUE Board of Trustees, stated that they established the center based on many ideas such as developing university-society cooperation, supporting social mental health, and protecting children's rights. President Özgener said, “Universities should be institutions that meet the needs of the society, add dynamism to the city and region they are in, and lay the foundations of innovations. As Izmir University of Economics, we act with this understanding and build the future with this perspective. A short time ago, we opened the Psychology Research and Application Center at within the University. We provided services to hundreds of Izmir residents who demanded psychological support under very favorable conditions. Now we have added the Children's University Research and Application Center to our innovative steps which makes our university available to the whole of Izmir and even to our region. The center will meet an important need in our city and touch the lives of children.”

CHILDREN SHOULD BE CURIOUS, CREATIVE

IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar stated that many children and families will be reached through the center. Prof. Dr. Aşkar said, “Children should be individuals who actively participate in social life. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce children to science and art in the university environment and to offer them an environment where they can show their talents. Raising children who are creative, curious, and questioning also means laying the foundation for the successful individuals of the future. Being a children's university has been a very beneficial development in terms of all these factors I have mentioned.”

MUST BE RECOGNIZED AT AN EARLY AGE

Director of the Center, Lecturer Ezgi Oral Bozkurtoğlu said, “It is very important to recognize the interests and abilities of children at an early stage, to support their development in the areas they need, and to bring them into society as more successful and healthy individuals in the future. For this purpose, every activity done with the child, family, educators, and society by putting the child at the center is very valuable. We will turn the power of our university into an advantage and develop projects with the support of experts from many different fields such as art, medicine, engineering, education, and social sciences. The center will carry out studies that will set an example in our country and in Izmir.”

EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS

While Lecturer Ezgi Oral Bozkurtoğlu, Preschool Education Specialist, undertook the task of directing the Children's University Research and Application Center, Psychological Counseling and Guidance Specialist, Lecturer Yasemin Özgün is the Vice Director of the Center. Expert Psychologist-Family Counselor Ayşe Özgener, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evrim Üstünlüoğlu from IUE School of Foreign Languages, and Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Head of IUE Department of Textile and Fashion Design, are also on the Administrative Board of the Center.

FIRST ACTIVITY: FELT WORKSHOP

IUE Children's University Research and Application Center carried out its first activity last week. Children in the pre-school group of Seferihisar Children's Municipality attended the felt workshop held in IUE and prepared gifts for their friends and families. Children who made designs from felt both had a pleasant time and developed their personal skills.