In 2025, Near East University delivered health outreach activities for communities across Northern Cyprus through its academic units, student organisations and university hospital, Near East University Hospital. Programmes included preventive screening, public health education, practical workshops and access to healthcare services. The activities below are organised by the communities they served, including local residents, people facing barriers to healthcare and refugee and migrant communities.

Local Communities

Community-Wide Free PSA Screening for Prostate Cancer Awareness

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in March 2025, Near East University, through its university hospital, Near East University Hospital, contributed to a large-scale public screening programme in cooperation with the Cancer Patients Assistance Association (KHYD) and participating hospital teams.

Free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests were offered at healthcare facilities and community locations across Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta and İskele, supported by Near East University's mobile health vehicle. A total of 898 men received free tests; approximately 100 were identified as requiring further medical evaluation and referred for follow-up.

By bringing screening services to public institutions and local markets, the programme extended access to preventive healthcare and increased public awareness of prostate health and the importance of medical follow-up.

Ten-Week Parent Education Programme on Children's Sexual Development

In early 2025, Near East University's Atatürk Faculty of Education completed a ten-week community education programme, "Supporting the Sexual Development of Children for Mothers and Fathers", in cooperation with the TRNC Prime Ministry Drug Enforcement Commission.

The programme was designed for parents of children aged 48–72 months and addressed age-appropriate sexual development, effective parent–child communication and the role of accurate health information in children's well-being.

Participants took part in a structured educational process supported by assessments before and after the programme. The reported evaluation found improvements in parental attitudes towards sexual education and communication with their children.

The initiative illustrates the university's role in providing practical, evidence-informed health education to families beyond campus.

Healthy Nutrition Education in Public Primary Schools

Near East University academics contributed to the European Union-funded "Access to Healthy Food" project led by the Cyprus Turkish Dietitians Association. The outreach programme engaged third- and fourth-grade pupils in state primary schools through age-appropriate education on balanced diets and healthy eating habits.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hoca and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taygun Dayı from the university's Department of Nutrition and Dietetics participated in school-based teaching and in assessing pupils' understanding of healthy nutrition.

By delivering professional nutrition expertise directly to public-school communities, the programme supported children's health literacy and encouraged informed everyday food choices.

Breast Cancer Awareness Education by the Faculty of Nursing

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2025, Near East University's Faculty of Nursing, in cooperation with the Cancer Patients Aid Association, delivered breast cancer awareness seminars at Karpaz Vocational High School, Gazimağusa Türk Maarif Koleji, Namık Kemal High School and İskele Commercial High School.

Faculty members and nursing professionals presented information on breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, early diagnosis and breast self-awareness.

The sessions brought preventive health education into school settings and enabled young people to discuss health questions with qualified professionals. This outreach activity complemented the university hospital's separate school awareness initiative while demonstrating the Faculty of Nursing's direct contribution to public health education.

Healthy Ageing Through Exercise and Community Education

Near East University's Faculty of Health Sciences and the Association for Elderly Rights and Mental Health organised "Exercise in the Journey of Healthy Ageing" at Merkez Lefkoşa, hosted by Nicosia Turkish Municipality in late 2025.

The community programme combined expert presentations with guided group exercise activities. Participants received information on maintaining musculoskeletal health, mobility, balance, strength and functional independence in later life.

Practical demonstrations by physiotherapy professionals showed ways to adapt physical activity to older adults' needs, while additional discussion addressed nutrition and psychosocial well-being.

The activity provided accessible, practical health education aimed at supporting active and healthy ageing within the local community.

Near East University Hospital Breast Cancer Awareness Training in Public Schools

In October 2025, Near East University Hospital, the university's hospital, launched a school-based breast cancer awareness programme with the Cancer Patients Aid Association.

The first documented seminar was held at 20 July Science High School for students and teachers. Near East University Hospital education nurse Şenay Evren Öztaşlı explained breast cancer symptoms, breast self-awareness, the value of timely medical evaluation and healthy lifestyle habits, and demonstrated self-examination techniques.

A breast cancer survivor also shared her experience of early diagnosis.

Healthy Adolescence, Healthy Future: Training for Public-School Teachers

In January 2025, specialist physicians and a clinical psychologist from Near East University Hospital participated in "Transition from Adolescence to Youth", a community education initiative undertaken with the Kyrenia Inner Wheel Club and the Ministry of National Education.

The first documented training session took place at Sedat Simavi Vocational High School and focused on teachers' role in supporting adolescent health.

The presentations addressed physical and emotional development, hygiene and infectious disease prevention, sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer awareness. A question-and-answer session enabled educators to engage directly with the specialists.

By supporting teachers' health knowledge, the programme aimed to help school communities respond more effectively to adolescents' needs.

Disadvantaged Communities

Preventive Oral Health Education for Children in Institutional Care

In December 2025, members of the Northern Cyprus Association of Dental Students (NCADS), together with fifth-year Near East University dentistry students, visited the Cyprus Turkish Child Protection Institution to deliver preventive oral health education.

The students explained daily toothbrushing, regular dental care and the effects of food choices on oral health through age-appropriate presentations, interactive games and children's books written by the students.

The activities included a true-or-false oral hygiene game and a matching exercise about tooth-friendly foods.

By taking practical health education directly to children living under institutional protection, the student-led programme supported oral health literacy among a community that may experience barriers to routine preventive care.

Health and Psychological Well-Being Education for Women in Prison

In December 2025, Near East University's Center for Gender Studies (TOCAM) organised "Let's Think Together, Let's Learn Together" for 25 women held at the TRNC Central Prison.

The programme combined health education, psychological well-being and creative engagement. Prof. Dr. Özen Aşut provided guidance on measures to protect health in closed environments, while Assist. Prof. Dr. Tijen Zeybek addressed emotional balance and coping with stress.

A two-week art-based workshop led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Miralay provided a further opportunity for expression and participation.

The activities extended preventive health information and psychosocial education to women whose circumstances restrict their access to community-based programmes.

Preventive Health Screening at Residential Elderly Care Facilities

During Respect for the Elderly Week in March 2025, nursing and healthcare teams from Near East University Hospital and Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital visited residents of Kalkanlı Elderly Care Home and Lapta Nursing Home.

The visits included blood pressure and blood glucose checks and direct interaction with residents to acknowledge their health and psychological needs.

Near East University's own hospital participated through its nursing staff, taking preventive health support beyond routine hospital premises and into residential care settings.

These outreach visits combined basic health monitoring with personal engagement for older people living in institutional care.

Free Surgical Care for Children from Families with Limited Financial Resources

In February 2025, Near East University, through its university hospital Near East University Hospital, participated in a free circumcision programme for children from minimum-wage households.

The programme was delivered with specialist teams at Near East University Hospital, Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi and Dr. Suat Günsel University of Kyrenia Hospital.

Urologists, paediatric surgeons, anaesthetists and nursing staff provided the procedures in clinical settings using established surgical and infection-control practices. Families received information before treatment, with attention to children's comfort and psychological needs.

By waiving procedure costs for eligible families, the initiative reduced a financial barrier to accessing a requested surgical service.

Refugee and Migrant Communities

Sexual Health and Nutrition Education for Refugees and Migrants

In December 2025, Near East University delivered a community education session for refugees and migrants at the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Solidarity and Education Center.

The event was organised through the university's Faculty of Health Sciences, Student Dean's Office and Sexual Health Services Unit in cooperation with the municipal centre.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder presented information on sexual and reproductive health, family planning, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and ways to access healthcare services.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hoca addressed healthy nutrition and the challenges that changes in living conditions, cultural practices and household resources can create after migration.

The programme provided directly relevant health information to migrant and refugee community members, supporting informed decisions about preventive care, reproductive health and nutrition.