Istanbul Gelisim University Hosted the ETÜGENÇ Culture Workshop Organized by Büyükçekmece Atatürk Anatolian High School

Istanbul Gelisim University hosted the ETÜGENÇ Culture Workshop organized by Büyükçekmece Atatürk Anatolian High School on December 13–14. The workshop took place with the strong participation of Istanbul Gelisim University Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli, Büyükçekmece Atatürk Anatolian High School Principal Necmettin Sarıkaya, Esenyurt District Directorate of National Education Branch Manager Murat Tetik, Assoc. Prof. Nusret Gedik from the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Marmara University Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, as well as teachers, students, and parents. Held under the theme of culture, the workshop focused on sessions conducted within literature, history, philosophy, technology, law, and anthropology committees, where the relationship between culture and different disciplines was discussed from multiple perspectives.

“We Are a University That Keeps Students’ Curiosity Alive and Supports Interdisciplinary Thinking”

Delivering the opening speech within the scope of the ETÜGENÇ Culture Workshop, Istanbul Gelisim University Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli emphasized that this workshop, shaped around the theme of culture, is not merely an academic sharing platform but a multidimensional journey aiming to develop young people’s thinking, discussion, and leadership skills by bringing together diverse perspectives.
Stating that development begins with taking inspiration from courage, Assoc. Prof. Serdar Egeli continued as follows:
“One of our university’s main priorities is to keep our students’ sense of curiosity alive, to create qualified environments where they can freely express their ideas, and to support a culture of interdisciplinary thinking. We are pleased to see that the ETÜGENÇ Culture Workshop strongly aligns with this vision.
Throughout the workshop, the effects of culture on individuals and society will be addressed from a broad perspective ranging from philosophy to anthropology, and from history to technology; participants will have the opportunity to develop critical thinking, questioning, and new perspectives. We believe that every contribution will enrich the academic and intellectual value of the workshop.
As Istanbul Gelisim University, we consider investing in young people and contributing to the discovery of their potential by bringing them together with science, art, technology, and culture among our fundamental responsibilities. On the occasion of this valuable workshop, we are very pleased and proud to host you on our campus.”

“We Are at the Threshold of an Idea, a Shared Consciousness, and a Cultural Journey”

Speaking within the scope of the workshop, ETÜGENÇ Workshop General Coordinator Tuğçe Olgun from Büyükçekmece Atatürk Anatolian High School stated that they see ETÜGENÇ not merely as a workshop, but as an element that carries the power beneath our roots into the future:
“Culture is the memory of a nation. Our coming together here today is precisely to transfer this memory to younger generations, to keep it alive, and to give it new vitality. As we all know, culture is not a concept frozen in books. Culture is a living structure that touches, changes, develops and those who will keep it alive are exactly you who are here right now.
Therefore, while preparing the ETÜGENÇ Workshop, our goal was to create space for young people to produce ideas, express themselves, and feel that they are a natural part of this culture. Because when culture touches a young person’s hands, it turns into the future; when it touches their heart, it gains meaning.”
ETÜGENÇ Workshop General Coordinator Tuğçe Olgun concluded her speech by thanking Istanbul Gelisim University for hosting the workshop.

“Culture Is Not Only Remembering the Past; It Is a Story You Rewrite Every Day”

Speaking within the scope of the workshop, Büyükçekmece Atatürk Anatolian High School Principal Necmettin Sarıkaya emphasized that, as a school, they have adopted Atatürk’s words, “The foundation of the Republic of Turkey is culture,” as a guiding principle, and that they planned this workshop within this framework.
Thanking the Rectorate of Istanbul Gelisim University for hosting the workshop, Necmettin Sarıkaya shared his views on the main theme of ETÜGENÇ, “culture”:
“Culture is not only remembering the past; it is a story you rewrite every day. In your speeches, your behaviors, your music, your dreams… Wherever you look, culture is there. Today, at this workshop, you will not only talk about culture, you will become culture itself. Every idea expressed in the committees will be a cultural trace left for the future.”

Turkish History and Culture Discussed at the Workshop

Guest speaker of the ETÜGENÇ Workshop, Assoc. Prof. Nusret Gedik from the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Marmara University Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, delivered literature- and culture-centered talks within the scope of the workshop:
“Although culture has become one of the areas that has been pushed into the background at the state level in recent years, young people’s interest in culture shows that this process will not be permanent. Culture is one of the most fundamental elements that keep nations standing, and despite major cultural and political ruptures, Turkish history has preserved its existence thanks to the continuity of this accumulation. Turkish culture was initially transmitted through oral tradition, and with the Orkhon Inscriptions, the transition to written culture began. The nomadic lifestyle strengthened oral culture, while written culture ensured the permanence of cultural memory. With the transition to settled life, belief systems such as Manichaeism had decisive effects on culture, leading to significant cultural transformations in Turkish history.”

An Academic Platform Where Youth Meets Culture: ETÜGENÇ Culture Workshop at IGU

By hosting the ETÜGENÇ Culture Workshop, Istanbul Gelisim University provided a qualified academic environment where young people could express themselves with a focus on culture, thought, and interdisciplinary interaction. This gathering, a strong example of university–high school cooperation, once again highlighted Istanbul Gelisim University’s youth-centered educational approach and its vision of embracing culture as a living value carried into the future. With its multidimensional approach ranging from science to art, and from technology to culture, IGU continues to contribute to the development of thinking and producing individuals.