Social Sensitivity Projects, as part of a participatory democracy program, are designed to help individuals recognize, understand, and fulfill their responsibilities toward society. Through these projects, participants become part of a participatory democracy program, learning about and practicing participatory democracy. While doing so, they collaborate with various institutions and organizations. Thus, by means of awareness projects that produce solutions to social issues, cooperation between institutions is strengthened. Additionally, individuals take initiative while implementing Social Sensitivity Projects and carry out these projects based on teamwork.
The aims of Social Sensitivity Projects include:
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Strengthening the ties between the university and society, and raising students who are socially sensitive and have a strong sense of social responsibility;
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Preparing projects aimed at identifying current social issues and producing solutions;
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Encouraging voluntary participation in various projects within the framework of social responsibility;
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Providing fundamental knowledge and skills related to the implementation of community service activities in faculties and vocational schools.
While our country continues to develop, it must also address numerous needs and challenges related to education, health, environment, and disadvantaged groups. The aim of Social Sensitivity Projects is to develop solutions to these issues and implement these solutions in practice. Young people participating in Social Sensitivity Projects increase their awareness of these problems and contribute positively to society.
Encouraging voluntary participation in social sensitivity projects is a requirement of Gaziantep University’s understanding of social responsibility. As Gaziantep University, through social sensitivity projects, we aim to train young people who:
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Can empathize with others through teamwork,
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Possess knowledge and skills in project cycle management,
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Have strong communication and organizational abilities,
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Not only participate in existing projects but also develop their own project ideas and propose solutions,
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Understand the power of civil society,
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Can comprehend their surrounding environment in all aspects,
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View differences in society as diversity.
Gaziantep University Social Sensitivity Projects Center was established to create awareness among university students regarding social issues, increase civil society consciousness, and strengthen interinstitutional cooperation by generating projects.
According to the decision taken at Gaziantep University Senate’s meeting dated 29.09.2009 and numbered 18, all first-year students enrolled at Gaziantep University are required to take part in a Social Sensitivity Project (SSP). Social Sensitivity Projects are a compulsory course for first-year students.
The Social Sensitivity Projects course aims to equip students with the ability to identify current social issues and prepare projects to generate solutions, participate in and contribute to scientific activities, engage voluntarily in various projects within the framework of social responsibility, and acquire fundamental knowledge and skills for implementing social projects.
The implementation of projects consists of project preparation during the first semester and fieldwork during the second semester. The course is built entirely upon student participation, cooperation with civil society organizations, group-based work, and hands-on experiences related to the social responsibility projects that students prepare and conduct within their own environment.
During the first semester, within the scope of the “project preparation” process:
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Students receive training on project cycle management,
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Information is provided regarding responsibility, volunteerism, and teamwork,
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Research is conducted on the project topic and necessary documentation is prepared,
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Meetings are held with relevant public institutions and organizations and necessary permissions are obtained,
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Project steps, duration, and activities are determined,
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The project advisor assigns roles such as project spokesperson or project photographer.
In the second semester, field applications of the projects begin. The official date for the project application form is announced to all departments and faculties by the Social Sensitivity Projects Center. You may submit your project ideas by completing the “project application form” available on our website and sending it to the Social Sensitivity Projects Center.
All faculty members, lecturers, and external experts serving as guest instructors are invited to propose social sensitivity projects.