1.BAU EARTHQUAKE SOCIOLOGY OPEN COURSE PROGRAM
On February 6, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, causing widespread devastation. The magnitude 7.8 quake was one of the strongest in the region in over a century, resulting in the collapse of thousands of buildings and significant loss of life. The disaster prompted international aid efforts, as rescue teams raced against time to save survivors trapped under the rubble. The earthquake highlighted the urgent need for better preparedness and infrastructure resilience in seismic-prone areas.
This earthquake also had a profound sociological impact, creating a collective trauma in the affected communities. Beyond the physical destruction, it disrupted social structures, displaced families, and left deep emotional scars, highlighting the long-term social and psychological challenges that follow such disasters. The event underscored the importance of addressing not only the material but also the sociological consequences of natural calamities. Because even though an earthquake is a natural event, it is a social trauma for everyone. Earthquake sociology is necessary for understanding, criticizing, and creating new things in Turkey and beyond.
In this context, Bahçeşehir University created The Open Course Series on Earthquake Sociology, an open and free program for everyone, aimed at discussing the sociological impacts of the earthquake and contributing to potential solutions. The program invites participants to explore the broader social implications of the disaster and engage in meaningful dialogue on ways to address its long-term effects.
Held between March and May, the Earthquake Sociology open course aimed to provide a comprehensive perspective on earthquakes in Turkey. The sessions took place every Thursday evening from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Each week focused on a different specific theme, featuring three guest speakers during the first hour, followed by a one-hour Q&A session to engage with the audience.
BAU Earthquake Sociology Open Course Program topics included earthquake governance and the approaches of public and local governments to earthquakes. We also discussed the possibilities and limits of framing earthquakes while discussing the past and present of journalism in earthquake zones. We also evaluated the civil society actors who come to the rescue in every earthquake from different perspectives. We also had a special session on risk management and the search and rescue and humanitarian aid components of intervention
2.BAU CONSERVATORY OPEN CLASSES
Bahçeşehir University (BAU) is designing courses throughout the year at its conservatory to support the development of high school students through arts and culture. These courses, held at the BAU Pera campus, are open to 11th and 12th-grade high school students who can apply and participate free of charge. The program aims to strengthen students' connection with the arts while also integrating topics such as Sustainable Cities and Communities, aligning with global sustainable development goals. These offerings provide a unique opportunity for young individuals to engage deeply with both the arts and critical global challenges.
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3.BAU- FAO WORLD FOOD DAY “LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND” SUSTAINABLE FARMS PROJECT TRAININGS AND COMPETITION (06.10.2022 - 14.10.2022)
Celebrated in more than 50 languages and in more than 150 countries, World Food Day marks the anniversary of the founding of FAO. It is FAO's most important annual event and one of the most recognized international days in the UN calendar. The campaign calls on everyone from governments to the private sector, from academia to civil society and from all walks of life, including young people, to be food heroes and build a sustainable future.
Within the scope of the BAU FAO World Food Day Leave No One Behind Sustainable Farms Project Competition Training, organized in partnership with FAO, CIFAL Istanbul, BAU SUGAM, and the BAU Dean of Students, students from different educational levels were reached, and free training sessions and a competition were offered. These opportunities were open not only to BAU students but also to students from other universities and high school students, encouraging them to take conscious steps in their lives as active members of society with the philosophy of sustainable agriculture.
After the trainings, students participating in the program were asked to work on the following topics to develop a sustainable farm project:
4.BAU ALUMNI FEST: PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABILITY (08.10.2022)
During this event, which was attended by Bahçeşehir University Alumni, CIFAL Istanbul, and the CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform, the aim was to provide participants with detailed information and raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.
Participants were actively engaged by being asked to answer questions related to each of the Sustainable Development Goals, which facilitated an in-depth understanding of the 17 SDGs. In addition to discussing the importance of these goals, the event also highlighted the role of the CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform, providing insights into the platform’s initiatives and how young people can contribute to the global sustainability agenda. This interactive format helped ensure that participants left the event with both knowledge and motivation to take action towards achieving the SDGs.
5.BAU CINEDISCUSSION ON DISARMAMENT EVENT (28.11.2022)
The Cine Discussion event, open to the public, was organized to raise awareness about disarmament through the screening of the classic film Dr. Strangelove. The event concluded with an insightful discussion moderated by Prof. Dr. Esra Albayrakoğlu, Head of the Political Science and International Relations Department at Bahçeşehir University.
The primary aim of the event was to highlight the critical importance of disarmament as a global issue, emphasizing its relevance not only in real-world politics but also in popular culture, as reflected in numerous films and TV series. The screening of Dr. Strangelove served as a prime example of how disarmament has been a significant theme in cinema. Furthermore, the discussion also delved into the portrayal of gender roles in the movie, exploring the intersection of gender equality with the broader themes of war and peace. This combination of film analysis and academic discussion helped participants engage with the topic of disarmament on multiple levels, encouraging a deeper understanding of its complexities
6.BAU WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN FINANCE PUBLIC PANEL (13.12.2022)
Gender equality across all areas of society is a fundamental human right and is crucial for building safe, prosperous, and thriving communities. When women entrepreneurs succeed, they tend to reinvest in their families and communities, supporting education, nutrition, welfare, and child health. Moreover, businesses led by women are more likely to provide essential services and create opportunities within their communities.
In light of these facts, the BAU Department of International Finance organized the Women Entrepreneurs in Finance panel, which was held at the BAU Faculty of Law's Özer Seliçi Conference Hall. The panel featured discussions on the realities of entrepreneurship from a woman’s perspective, providing real-life experiences and insights from successful female entrepreneurs. This event was open to all interested participants, offering a platform for learning, engagement, and dialogue on the role of women in finance and entrepreneurship.
7.BAU BRIDGE: SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION AND FINANCE TRAININGS EVENT (17.12.2022)
Trainings were organized as a platform for the exchange of information and ideas in the fields of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, innovation, and finance. Open to anyone interested, the event aimed to equip participants with knowledge and insights on key topics such as sustainability-based entrepreneurship, examples of successful ventures in this field, and appropriate financing models for sustainable initiatives. Additionally, the event highlighted the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria for investors, offering a comprehensive understanding of how these principles play a critical role in driving both financial success and positive environmental and social outcomes. By the end of the event, participants left with practical ideas and strategies to apply in their own sustainable business efforts.
The training sessions outlined in the posters were successfully completed, featuring expert instructors Zatiye Taş, Director of Corporate Banking and Project Finance at Kalkınma Yatırım Bankası, Dr. Ayla Esen, Lecturer from Bahçeşehir University’s Department of International Trade and Business, and Assist. Prof. Pınar Ünal Güner from Bahçeşehir University’s Department of International Finance.
The program covered a range of crucial topics aimed at fostering an understanding of sustainability in various business sectors. These included:
Through these sessions, participants gained practical insights into applying sustainability principles in both corporate and entrepreneurial contexts.
8.BAU INTRODUCTION TO ESG OPEN LECTURE (31.01.2023)
The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Lecture was an event organized by Bahçeşehir University and CIFAL Istanbul in collaboration with the CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform, UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research), CREDO, Stellenbosch University, Panorama, Global Academy. Open to all interested participants, the event aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of sustainability measurement systems, with a particular focus on the ESG framework.
During the course, participants gained a deep understanding of the importance of the ESG model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event explored how the three pillars of ESG are interconnected and how they contribute to achieving the broader objectives of the SDGs. By the end of the session, participants had developed a clear perspective on the value of the SDGs for organizations striving to shape a more sustainable future and learned how ESG can be operationalized within various industries to measure and improve sustainability efforts.
9.BAU INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THEORY TRAINING 2.0 'GAME OF THRONES' AND 'STAR WARS' SIMULATIONS OPEN PANEL (03.02.2023)
Inspired by the globally popular TV series Game of Thrones, a simulation event was held to take participants into the mystical universe of the show as a way to familiarize them with International Relations theories. The event was open to all interested participants, providing an engaging and interactive learning experience.
The innovative teaching method aimed to make the theoretical knowledge permanent through the use of gamification, helping participants better grasp abstract concepts.
Seçkin Barış Gülmez presented the Game of Thrones simulation as a tool for teaching international relations theories and also introduced the Star Wars universe as an alternative simulation option. These simulations were designed to help participants understand theoretical approaches that are often presented through abstract concepts and propositions, ensuring that the knowledge would leave a lasting impression.
By going beyond the traditional methods of instruction, the simulations offered a unique opportunity for participants to combine theory and practice, making it easier to learn complex abstract concepts and apply them to real-world scenarios.
10.BAU EARTHQUAKE TALK SERIES - PSYCHOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS PUBLIC LECTURE (17.02.2023)
The “Earthquake Talk Series” was organized to promote psychological healing, resilience, and support among citizens by providing them with coping mechanisms and tools to manage stress, trauma, and grief. The participants were also introduced to self-care practices that would help them maintain their mental health while performing their duties during challenging times.
The event emphasized the critical importance of addressing mental health in the aftermath of disasters and the ongoing need for psychological support, especially for those involved in rescue and recovery operations. Through discussions and reflections, the series provided valuable insights into improving future disaster response strategies and enhancing employee assistance programs to better meet the psychological needs of personnel in crisis situations.
The event was open to all interested participants, fostering an inclusive environment for sharing knowledge and experiences related to mental health in disaster response.
11.BAU WOMEN'S ENERGY ON CAMPUS WITH AKENERJI AND AKKÖK HOLDING TRAINING EVENTS FOR YOUNG WOMEN
The Women's Energy on Campus event was organized to increase the employment rate and effectiveness of women in the energy sector. Its primary aim was to make the energy sector more attractive to young women who are new to professional life, and one of its key objectives was to inspire women to take on leadership roles.
Participants of the training program, which lasted approximately two months, worked in groups of 8-10 to develop projects related to the energy sector. As part of the event, seminars and trainings were conducted on career planning and human resources management, specifically in sectors such as energy, economy, and finance in Turkey. These sessions helped participants design and present their projects. The program concluded with a certificate ceremony following the project presentations.
During the Women's Energy on Campus 2 event, organized jointly by Akenerji and Akkök Holding, discussions focused on the latest evaluations of women's roles and leadership within the energy sector. Participants developed strategies to increase the potential of women in the field and identified future steps for enhancing women's participation and leadership.
The event was open to all interested young women, offering them the opportunity to engage and contribute to shaping a more inclusive energy sector.
12.BAU SDGS AND BEYOND: SDG 4 REFLECTIONS AND EXPERIENCES ON QUALITY EDUCATION PUBLIC LECTURE (26.10.2023)
The event titled "SDGs and Beyond: Reflections and Experiences on SDG 4 Quality Education" was held, where participants shared their insights and personal experiences regarding quality education within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the event, various suggestions for enhancing the quality of education were presented, and discussions took place around the next steps needed to ensure continuous improvement in this area. The event was part of an open lecture series, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning more about the role of education in sustainable development.
13.BAU SDGS AND BEYOND: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SDGS ON THE ROAD TO 2030 PUBLIC LECTURE (09.11.2023)
The event focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Alex Mejía, Director of UNITAR, provided an insightful discussion on the current barriers to SDG implementation and highlighted the strategies needed to overcome them.
Participants shared ideas on how to accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs by 2030, emphasizing the importance of developing innovative solutions and fostering collaborations to tackle the obstacles to sustainable development. The event served as an important platform for identifying the next steps and actions required to advance the SDGs effectively. Open to all, this gathering encouraged a broad exchange of perspectives on realizing a more sustainable future.
14.BAU CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN UNITED NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OPEN PANEL FOR YOUTH
The event provided valuable information and guidance for young people interested in pursuing careers in the international arena. Ms. Adriana Lopez, Social Development Project Manager at UNITAR, shared insights with participants regarding various career paths, application processes, and the key skills needed to succeed in the global field.
In addition to career advice, the event emphasized strategies for young people to actively engage in global affairs and focus on personal development. The aim was to assist young professionals in evaluating career opportunities in international organizations and planning the necessary steps to achieve their goals. Open to young people, the event created an inclusive platform for those looking to explore and advance their careers on the global stage.
15.BAU THE SDGS AND BEYOND: IS IT POSSIBLE TO PHASE OUT FOSSIL RESOURCES? PUBLIC LECTURE (26.12.2023)
The event, open to all stakeholders interested in the topic, was organized to explore strategies for phasing out fossil fuels and to discuss the future of climate negotiations. In the wake of COP 28, experts and academics came together to analyze ways to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and transition towards renewable energy sources, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants exchanged views on the necessary measures to combat climate change, the importance of international cooperation, and the outcomes of the COP 28 conference. The event served as an essential platform for assessing the feasibility of transitioning away from fossil fuels and provided insights into how this process could be effectively managed.
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