In honor of World Disabled Week (May 10–16), Istinye University (ISU) hosted the 'Sarıyer Special Education Festival' on May 15th. With contributions from the Child Development Department students, the festival saw special education students participating in a range of workshops and other activities, culminating in a day of exploration and discovery.
The festival was held at Istinye University’s Vadi Main Campus to draw attention to the problems of special education students and to raise awareness. It was attended by students, parents, and teachers from special education classes and schools. The event was sponsored and developed by the Istinye University Child Development Department students. They prepared choral, rhythm, song, and dance performances for the attendees and taught ceramics, marbling, origami, puppet-making, balloon sculpture and gastronomy workshops. Attendees also enjoyed obstacle courses and competitions.
'WE ARE IN COLLABORATION WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN SOCIETY'
Mustafa Toprak, Director of Sarıyer Guidance and Research Center; Hüseyin Özcanlar, Sarıyer District National Education Director; Ömer Kalaylı, Sarıyer District Governor; and Hasan Çelik, Provincial Branch Director of National Education, attended the event alongside ISU Rector, Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş, who stated:
Istinye University is a university of science, education, research, culture, and art. We collaborate with all stakeholders in society. We are not just a university for our youth but also for our elderly, children, women, people with disabilities, and all individuals with or without disabilities. We take pride in serving in this capacity and are a university rapidly progressing and ascending in this path. Today, under these headings, we have come together in a beautiful framework of social responsibility, societal contribution, and collaboration. Here, we are together with our university students, along with the disabled students under the care and follow-up of Sarıyer RAM (Guidance and Research Center) and their very valuable families. I understand the topic personally because I have lived for many years with my brother who has Down syndrome. I am someone who knows what disability means and how precious are our disabled ones, and I have internalized these feelings. Today, we witness a beautiful event: children participating in workshops and activities with our university students. I thank everyone involved and the special families here today.
The event, coordinated by the Sarıyer Guidance and Research Center, received contributions from the Private Sarıyer Açı Schools, Şehit Üsteğmen Ali Büyükdicle Special Education Practice School, Şükran Ülgezen Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, and Sarıyer Atatürk Vocational Training Center.
