The first ten-week phase of the "Honorary Student Project," initiated at Istinye University to facilitate the integration of individuals with special needs into society, has been completed. Supported by TUBITAK and implemented in collaboration with the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, the Honorary Student Project saw nine students with Down syndrome receive university-level education. With the motivation of integrating individuals with special needs into society, students who came together at our university took their final classes and, after donning their uniforms, made pastries in the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts.
Throughout the project, the students, who documented their impressions by keeping a journal during the educational period, attended multiple courses in various departments of our university. In addition to enabling the participation of individuals with Down syndrome in university life, the project aims to be implemented in many universities across Turkey. Increasing awareness on both sides, among both teachers and students, is also among the primary goals of the project.
Dr. Özlem Özaydın, in the Department of Health Management at Istinye University, stated, "I initiated the project in august of last year with the aim of promoting the participation of individuals with special needs in society. After contacting the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, we held meetings as a team to develop the project, and here we are today. Our students with Down syndrome received education at our university like 'full-time' students. We did not separate them in any way from our regular students or organize a different education program. They joined our ongoing classes, and as we conclude one semester, the project has been very successful."
Psychologist Mehmet Emin Mansurgüler, the Education Coordinator of the Turkish Down Syndrome Association, made statements after the final class: "The project started with a workshop. After meeting with our esteemed Dr. Özaydın and her students, we expanded the project. Our 9 students with Down syndrome participated in 4 courses in the departments of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Visual Communication at the university. Besides regularly attending classes throughout the semester, the students, as well as the university faculty and other students, also received education on Down syndrome and individuals with different developmental needs. A scientific study will be conducted at the end of the project to examine how their awareness levels have changed. With this pilot study, our goal is to have our students with Down syndrome participate in education and social life in various departments of many universities. At the end of the project at Istinye University, we will organize a workshop. Thus, we aim to assist in the integration of disabled individuals into a more inclusive university environment."
In the final class of the project, attended by ISU Rector Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Peyami Çelikcan, Rector İbiş expressed the following: "We take pride and joy in providing education to our children with Down syndrome. I sincerely congratulate the professors who contributed to this effort. I believe that valuable achievements will continue to be made in the future for our children with Down syndrome to lead their lives in the best possible way."
