Bahçeşehir University Students Receive the Most Successful Social Entrepreneur Award

Bahçeşehir University students have been honored with the Most Successful Social Entrepreneur Award.

In the competition organized in collaboration with the Educational Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye (TEGV), the International Youth Foundation and the Sylvan/Laureate Foundation to recognize successful young social entrepreneurs, three Bahçeşehir University students reached the finals with their projects, achieving a significant success.

Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Engineering student Ceren Öztulca with her project "Eko-Yunus," Faculty of Law student Yunus Beçit with "Idea Collection Camp," and Faculty of Communication student Burak Özcan with "Bi'soluk Café" were awarded the Young Social Entrepreneur Prize.

CLEANER SEAS WITH "EKO-YUNUS"

Developed by Ceren Öztulca, the project enables the detection and collection of marine waste by an autonomous robot. Controlled either via coordinates set by a control center or manually, Eko-Yunus is used to collect metallic and non-metallic solids as well as liquid waste. It also follows oil tankers in order to notify the control center and the Coastal Safety authority if they discharge waste. Working like a mobile laboratory thanks to its sensors, Eko-Yunus can also perform measurements such as salinity, carbon dioxide, conductivity and wave analysis.

"IDEA COLLECTION CAMP" BRINGS YOUTH PROJECTS TO LIFE

The Idea Collection Camp, which brings university students together to produce projects, consists of three parts: Idea, You and Brand. In the project developed by Yunus Beçit, thirty university students selected through interviews attend a five-day camp, where for two days they take part in sessions and brainstorm to produce projects. The young participants, who present their projects to young entrepreneurs and receive professional training, also play an active role in branding efforts.

AT "BI'SOLUK CAFÉ," STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS WORK FOR VILLAGE SCHOOLS

Developed as a social responsibility project, "Bi'soluk Café" aims to raise students who can create something out of nothing. The food sold at the two cafés opened on campus is made by volunteer students and instructors, while those serving and working at the till are also volunteer students. All revenue from the cafés is used for village schools in need across Anatolia. In the project, which started with a slice of cake, some schools have been completely renovated, while others have gained computer labs and libraries.