Tohumluk Foundation and Nuh Naci Yazgan University: Building Bridges Between Urban and Rural Communities
KAYSERİ - At Tohumluk Foundation, we aim to strengthen the bridges we build between urban and rural communities through academic expertise and the participation of young volunteers. With this in mind, throughout September 2026, we met with Nuh Naci Yazgan University in Kayseri to explore opportunities for collaboration on activities planned for schools and villages.
Coordinated by our Kayseri Provincial Representative, Nilüfer Bıçakcıoğlu, and Prof. Hülya Uçar, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at Nuh Naci Yazgan University, the process began with an introductory meeting on September 16, followed by a broader meeting on September 22.
Alongside Prof. Hülya Uçar, participants included Assistant Professor Şeyda Güngör, Vice Dean; Associate Professor Zeliha Kaya Erten, Community Engagement Office Coordinator; Associate Professor Hüsniye Akıllı, Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration; Assistant Professor Hüsamettin Serkan Akıllı, Science Communication Office Coordinator; Assistant Professor Z. Yeşim Alemdar, Head of the Department of Architecture; and Assistant Professor D. Merve Çetinkaya Sönmez, Head of the Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design.
The discussions explored joint initiatives within the scope of community engagement activities and the university’s volunteering course. We considered ways to secure educator support for activities in schools and villages and encourage greater volunteer participation. Participants exchanged ideas on potential initiatives in first aid, health, career planning, and cultural heritage for students and children living in rural communities. Our shared goal was to ensure that these efforts would grow beyond one-off events and deliver lasting benefits to communities.
The next step in this collaboration was our participation in the university’s Promotion Days, held at its Erkilet campus on September 30. At the university’s invitation, we set up a Tohumluk Foundation stand, where we met students and faculty members and introduced our rural outreach work, projects, and approach to volunteering. We invited young people to contribute to social responsibility initiatives, either individually or through activities organized in partnership with the university.
Our Foundation’s Vice President, Hayriye Boz, and our volunteers Belgin Kayacık, Feyza Denk, Nihal Hodul, and Şenay Özdemir also took part in the meetings and outreach activities. Small handmade gifts and refreshments prepared by our volunteers accompanied our conversations with students. These encounters offered a valuable opportunity to share our mission of connecting urban and rural communities and to meet new volunteers.
We thank Prof. Ahmet Fazıl Özsoylu, Rector of Nuh Naci Yazgan University; Secretary General Erdal Koçer; the faculty members; and all the students who visited our stand. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the academics who contributed to this collaboration and to our volunteers for their dedication.
Together, we continue working to bring the university’s expertise, young people’s energy, and our volunteers’ commitment to initiatives that will take root in rural communities.
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