Expanding Horizons: Engaging Beyond Campus with Educational Outreach Initiatives
Istanbul Technical University (ITU) proudly extends its educational mission beyond the boundaries of its campus, engaging schools and communities across Türkiye. ITU demonstrates its enduring commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education, ensuring that access to learning and inspiration reaches well beyond the university campus, with help of our academicians, and students.
Our Academicians in the Community
Our University is deeply committed to educational outreach activities and community engagement. These initiatives are aligned with our university's vision of promoting sustainability and making education accessible to all.
(https://kalite.itu.edu.tr/hakkimizda/kalite-belgeleri/kalite-belgeleri-politikalar/toplumsal-katki-politikasi).
Through summer schools, volunteer education programs, teacher academies, and collaborative projects with various organizations, we actively support the educational development of our community. ITU has formalized agreements with the Turkish Ministry of Education (MEB), enabling the active participation of ITU academicians in a wide range of educational initiatives.
Istanbul Technical University (ITU) fosters strong collaboration with ITU MTAL High School and TÜBİTAK Science High School through various teaching roles. During the 2024–2025 academic year, ITU instructors provided foreign language education to a total of 42 students at ITU MTAL and 90 students at TÜBİTAK Science High School. This engagement exemplifies ITU's commitment to educational outreach and development at the secondary school level.
In addition, ITU academics and student leaders from the Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering regularly visit ITU MTAL High School to engage 12th-grade students through motivational talks, workshops, and mentorship activities. On 19 March 2024, Dean Prof. Dr. Sebahattin Gürmen and ITU club presidents met with students to share insights on research, teamwork, and engineering education, further strengthening the connection between university and high-school learning. Similarly, on 2 April 2024, Prof. Dr. Ömer Kemal Kınacı, Dean of the Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ceren Bilgin Güney visited ITU MTAL to introduce students to the opportunities within maritime studies at ITU. They highlighted the role of digital transformation, teamwork, and innovation in the maritime sector, encouraging young learners to pursue future-oriented careers in engineering and marine sciences.
Link:https://itumtal.meb.k12.tr/icerikler/itu-mtalde-kimyametalurji-fakultesi-etkinligi_14992183.html https://itumtal.meb.k12.tr/icerikler/itu-gemi-inaati-ve-deniz-bilimleri-fakultesi-yetenekli-gencleri-bekliyor_15044180.html
The 7th ITU Astronomy Days took place on 24 May 2024 at the Maçka Mustafa Kemal Amphitheater. The event featured informative sessions and interactive activities, allowing participants to engage directly with experts in the field of astronomy. It was also live-streamed, reaching a wider audience beyond those attending in person. The success of the event demonstrates the strong interest and enthusiasm for astronomy within the ITU community.
Link: https://astronomi.itu.edu.tr/vii-gokbilim-gunleri/
Our Students in the Community
Within the vibrant ecosystem of Istanbul Technical University (ITU), student clubs play a pivotal role both on and beyond the campus. More than extracurricular organizations, these clubs act as dynamic drivers of social impact, learning, and community engagement. Through their voluntary initiatives, ITU students extend the university’s educational mission to wider society. Below are several examples of student-led community outreach projects that reflect ITU’s commitment to inclusive and quality education.
ITU Volunteering Club and ITU Management Engineering Club
On Friday, 29 November 2024, the ITU Volunteering Club and the ITU Management Engineering Club (IMK) jointly hosted a Children’s Rights Awareness Event. The program featured a presentation on children’s rights by Psychologist Ceyda Gezgin. Participants also engaged in interactive workshops such as T-shirt painting and toy-making, preparing gifts and assembling book and toy donations. These contributions were delivered to primary school students in village schools through the Umut School Project in collaboration with IMK.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCt8qYYiFjS/?igsh=MTZlamk4YzZ5cGVhMQ==
ITU Environmental Engineering Club
The ITU Environmental Engineering Club carried out the social responsibility project “Tears of Water”, designed to foster environmental awareness among children. As part of this initiative, club members visited several primary and secondary schools to deliver educational sessions and hands-on activities. The program introduced young students to key concepts such as water conservation, pollution prevention, and sustainable resource use, helping them understand the importance of protecting the environment. Through this project, ITU students promoted responsible citizenship and encouraged early awareness of sustainability.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8FDhOpK4_b/?igsh=eGM4Z2l3MWc4ZTZ1
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1kFwD_MA7T/?igsh=MXVwOWw3YTdiZ212Mw==
As part of the CMK Academy Project, initiated by the ITU Environmental Engineering Club to enhance the visibility, awareness, and competencies of future environmental engineers, outreach visits were conducted on 15 October 2024 to Doğan Cüceloğlu Science High School and on 19 November 2024 to Çekmeköy Mehmetçik Anatolian High School. During these visits, ITU students introduced high school learners to the Environmental Engineering Department at ITU and to the wider scope of environmental engineering as a discipline. The sessions provided insights into sustainability-focused careers, current environmental challenges, and the role of engineers in developing sustainable solutions, inspiring young participants to explore future academic and professional paths in this field.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBYb5-BNQlG/?igsh=MXRxc3p6ZGhoZjRmdw==
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCoTL4INCyp/?igsh=YXB4czNlZDZ3MGU4
ITU UNIFEB Club
The ITU UNIFEB Club organized the 8th edition of the “Bright Future When Children Smile” Project in Mersin on 17 May 2024. During this outreach visit, ITU students spent the day at a local primary school, engaging children in interactive games and creative group activities designed to encourage learning through play. At the end of the program, students presented the children with educational gifts and supplies they had prepared in advance.
Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7EzdfBturI/?igsh=YnE4Y3U1dHpvbGNu
Links for more information:
ITU Internal Report of 2024:
https://kalite.itu.edu.tr/docs/librariesprovider211/dokumanlar/ki-dr/itü-kurum-içi-değerlendirme-raporu-2024.pdf?sfvrsn=2
ITU Community Outreach Policy:
https://kalite.itu.edu.tr/hakkimizda/kalite-belgeleri/kalite-belgeleri-politikalar/toplumsal-katki-politikasi
In 2024, Istanbul Technical University (ITU) strengthened its educational outreach through partnerships with schools, ministries, and student initiatives across Türkiye. ITU academics delivered foreign-language and science education to 132 students at ITU MTAL and TÜBİTAK Science High School, while faculty visits and seminars introduced pupils to engineering, maritime, and research careers. Complementing these programs, student clubs organized nationwide social-responsibility projects such as Children’s Rights Awareness, Tears of Water, CMK Academy, and Bright Future When Children Smile, reaching primary and secondary-school learners through creative and environmental activities. These combined efforts—linking faculty expertise, volunteerism, and institutional cooperation with the Ministry of National Education—demonstrate ITU’s sustained commitment to SDG 4 – Quality Education, promoting equitable, inclusive, and lifelong learning opportunities beyond the university campus.