Near East University extends educational opportunities beyond its campus through collaborative activities with local schools, public institutions, community organisations and professional groups. These initiatives enable university academics and students to share their knowledge and skills directly with different segments of society. During 2025, the University carried out educational outreach activities covering mathematics and science education, early childhood literacy, cultural heritage, children's well-being, financial literacy, public health, professional communication and sustainability. Activities included interactive lessons, educational demonstrations, practical workshops and community-based training delivered in schools, workplaces and local institutions. The University also supports structured outreach programmes that provide continued learning opportunities for disadvantaged groups. These programmes involve academic supervision, collaboration with community partners and voluntary participation by university students. January 2025 | Şehit Mehmet Eray Primary School Near East University's Atatürk Faculty of Education organised the "Mathematical Models and Modeling" exhibition at Şehit Mehmet Eray Primary School, introducing young learners to mathematical concepts through interactive educational activities. Conducted within the Mathematics Education course and based on the principles of Realistic Mathematics Education, the exhibition encouraged pupils to explore mathematical models and discover how mathematics relates to everyday situations. University teacher candidates prepared educational materials and demonstrations that made mathematical concepts more concrete and accessible to primary school children. Through direct interaction with the materials, pupils explored mathematical relationships, developed mathematical thinking and engaged with learning approaches beyond conventional classroom instruction. The activity brought university educational expertise into a local school while providing future teachers with opportunities to apply innovative teaching methods in a community setting. May 2025 | Gülen Yüzler Kindergarten Near East University's Atatürk Faculty of Education, Department of Preschool Teaching, organised an interactive storytelling activity titled "Every Page an Adventure" at Gülen Yüzler Kindergarten. The activity was carried out by third-year preschool teaching students under the coordination of Lecturer Hulin Sıddık as part of the Children's Literature and Storytelling course. Through interactive book reading, children were encouraged to participate actively in storytelling, express their ideas, answer questions and develop their vocabulary and verbal communication skills. The programme included finger games, rhymes, storytelling activities, story completion, creative art activities and mask-making. Rather than remaining passive listeners, children were encouraged to become active participants in the storytelling process, supported by the university's prospective teachers. The initiative provided preschool children with an engaging language development experience while enabling teacher candidates to apply their educational knowledge in a real early childhood learning environment outside the university campus. 2025 | Cyprus Turkish Child Protection Agency Near East University's Atatürk Faculty of Education, Department of Turkish Language Teaching, organised an educational outreach activity to introduce children to the concept of cultural heritage and the importance of preserving local cultural traditions. The 90-minute interactive learning session was delivered to approximately 35 fourth- and fifth-grade pupils at the Cyprus Turkish Child Protection Agency. The programme was conducted by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Head of the Department of Turkish Language Teaching, and Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut, who introduced the concept of cultural heritage through examples from Cyprus. Following the educational presentations, children participated in creative writing and drawing activities, expressing their understanding of cultural heritage through their own experiences and imagination. The activity provided children with an opportunity to explore the cultural environment in which they live and understand the importance of preserving cultural traditions for future generations. By conducting the educational session directly at the institution, Near East University made its academic expertise accessible to children outside its campus. 2025 | Çatalköy Primary School Students from Near East University's Atatürk Faculty of Education, Primary Mathematics Teaching and Classroom Teaching programmes, carried out the "Science Pirate Poster Project" at Çatalköy Primary School. The initiative was designed to support primary school children's learning in mathematics and science through creative educational materials prepared by university students. Using colourful visual representations and interactive learning approaches, the teacher candidates developed posters that presented scientific and mathematical concepts in an accessible and engaging format. The educational materials were exhibited at Çatalköy Primary School, allowing pupils to engage with the visual learning resources. Following the exhibition, the posters were donated to the school for continued use in classroom activities. University students also interacted directly with the children during the project, gaining experience in communicating educational content to younger learners. This student-led educational outreach initiative combined volunteer participation, practical teaching experience and the development of reusable learning resources for a local primary school. December 2025 | Meral-Vedat Ertüngü State High School Near East University's Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences delivered a financial literacy and entrepreneurship education activity for 11th-grade students at Meral-Vedat Ertüngü State High School. The training was conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Baykan, Head of the Department of Human Resources Management, and focused on developing financial awareness and entrepreneurial thinking among young people. Through interactive presentations and case studies, students explored fundamental concepts including personal budgeting, saving, financial risks, entrepreneurial culture and business idea development. The educational activities helped students connect financial knowledge with everyday decisions and future career planning. The training encouraged participants to reflect on responsible financial behaviour and the opportunities associated with entrepreneurship. Student feedback highlighted the relevance of the programme to their future planning and interest in developing business ideas. This school-based educational outreach activity provided practical financial knowledge beyond the university campus. Following the initial implementation in 2025, the Faculty announced plans to expand the initiative to additional state high schools in 2026. December 2025 | Concorde Tower Hotel Near East University's Faculty of Tourism delivered an educational training session titled "Sustainability and Integration of Sustainable Development Goals in Hotel Businesses" for employees of Concorde Tower Hotel. The training was conducted by Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, using an interactive approach focused on the practical application of sustainability principles in hospitality operations. Participants explored how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals could be incorporated into the daily activities of hotel businesses. The programme addressed energy efficiency, responsible use of resources, environmental responsibility and social sustainability, using examples relevant to the hospitality industry. The training encouraged employees to consider how their everyday responsibilities and workplace practices could contribute to more sustainable hotel operations. By delivering the educational session directly at the hotel, Near East University extended its expertise beyond campus and provided sector-specific sustainability education to hospitality employees in their professional environment. 2025 | TRNC Police School Near East University's Lifelong Education Centre (YABEM) provided a free educational training programme on "Body Language and Anger Management" for future police officers at the TRNC Police School. The training was delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Tijen Zeybek from Near East University and focused on communication and behavioural skills relevant to public-facing police duties. Participants received guidance on recognising and interpreting body language, managing emotional responses during stressful situations, controlling anger and communicating empathetically with citizens. The programme addressed situations that police officers may encounter during their professional responsibilities and emphasised the importance of maintaining emotional balance and establishing constructive relationships with members of the public. The training formed part of the University's educational cooperation with the Police School, which had also included communication and social skills training in previous years. Through this outreach activity, Near East University provided specialised educational support to a public institution, contributing to the professional preparation of future police officers and the development of effective community communication skills. 27–28 May 2025 | Court of Accounts Near East University's Lifelong Education Centre (YABEM) contributed to the professional development of public-sector employees through a two-day training programme on "Effective Communication Skills." The training was conducted at the Court of Accounts as part of the 2025 in-service training programme organised by the Public Administration and Human Resources Presidency. Delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ufuk Çelik from Near East University's Lifelong Education Centre, the programme reached approximately 200 public-sector employees, who participated in two separate training groups. The programme focused on effective communication skills within the context of public-sector professional development. Following the training, participants received certificates of participation. By providing academic expertise directly to a government institution, Near East University contributed to professional learning outside the university campus and supported the development of communication competencies among public-sector personnel. December 2025 | Nicosia Turkish Municipality Solidarity and Education Center Near East University delivered a community-based educational activity on sexual health and nutrition for refugees and migrants at the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Solidarity and Education Center. The programme was organised through cooperation involving the University's Faculty of Health Sciences, Dean of Students Office and Sexual Health Services Unit. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Sarpkaya Güder, Head of the Sexual Health Services Unit, delivered an educational presentation on family planning and sexual health, addressing reproductive health awareness and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hoca, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, presented "Migration and Nutrition," explaining how changing living conditions, economic challenges and cultural differences can influence dietary habits and health. The educational sessions provided participants with information relevant to reproductive health, nutrition and healthy living, responding to the needs of refugee and migrant communities. Through this collaboration with the municipality, Near East University extended health education beyond its campus and supported access to reliable health information among disadvantaged groups. Commenced in 2025 | Democracy Secondary School | Five-Month Programme Near East University launched a structured five-month Turkish language education programme for refugee and migrant students at Democracy Secondary School, in cooperation with the TRNC Ministry of National Education. The programme was developed through collaboration among Near East University's Department of Turkish Language Teaching, Turkish Preparatory School and Social Contribution Commission, with the aim of reducing language barriers and supporting the educational inclusion of refugee and migrant children. The programme serves 18 students from six countries: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Syria, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Turkish language lessons are delivered voluntarily by fourth-year students from Near East University's Department of Turkish Language Teaching, under the academic coordination of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut and Dr. Tülay Kaya Tekman. The educational activities take place within the secondary school and focus on developing the Turkish language skills needed for communication and participation in school life. Through continued language instruction, the programme aims to improve students' ability to engage with their teachers, classmates and learning environment. Unlike single-session outreach activities, this initiative follows a planned five-month educational structure, providing sustained language learning support to a clearly identified group of students. The programme demonstrates Near East University's contribution to inclusive education through a structured community-based initiative, combining academic coordination, institutional cooperation and voluntary teaching by university students. The programme commenced in 2025 and was planned to continue for five months. 2025 | Ten-Week Structured Parent Education Programme Near East University's Atatürk Faculty of Education, in collaboration with the TRNC Prime Ministry's Anti-Drug Commission, implemented a ten-week educational programme titled "Supporting Children's Sexual Development: An Education Programme for Mothers and Fathers." The programme was designed for parents of children aged 48–72 months, providing structured educational support to improve their understanding of early childhood sexual development and strengthen communication with their children on age-appropriate and sensitive topics. The initiative was conducted by Hulin Sıddık, a doctoral researcher in Preschool Education at Near East University, under the academic supervision of Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl and Prof. Dr. Filiz Erbay from KTO Karatay University. The programme incorporated pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate its educational outcomes. Initial assessments identified limited parental knowledge about childhood sexual education. Following the ten-week programme, participants demonstrated improved attitudes towards sexual education and stronger communication skills when discussing developmental issues with their children. Through this structured educational initiative, Near East University extended educational support to parents beyond its enrolled student community, promoting parental awareness, age-appropriate communication and informed approaches to children's development. December 2025 | Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu State Hospital Near East University participated in an inter-university collaboration with the TRNC Ministry of Health to support the "Communication and Empathy Training Programme" for public healthcare professionals. Launched in December 2025, the programme aimed to improve communication between healthcare workers, patients and their families, with particular emphasis on empathetic approaches, effective interpersonal communication and patient-centred healthcare services. The training was organised in two-day modules, comprising four hours of instruction per day. The first training sessions commenced on 3 December 2025, followed by a second round announced on 18 December. The initiative was designed to reach different categories of healthcare personnel, including nurses, physicians, laboratory staff and other professionals involved in patient care. Through cooperation between the Ministry of Health and five universities, including Near East University, the programme established a structured approach to continuing education for healthcare professionals outside university campuses, with further implementation planned across public healthcare institutions.Bringing Mathematics to Life: Interactive Mathematical Models and Modeling Exhibition
"Every Page an Adventure": Interactive Story Reading for Preschool Children
Cultural Heritage Education for Children at the Cyprus Turkish Child Protection Agency
Science Pirate Poster Project: Student-Led Science and Mathematics Education
Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Education for State High School Students
Sustainability Education for Hospitality Employees
Communication, Body Language and Anger Management Education for Police Trainees
Effective Communication Skills Training for Public-Sector Employees
Community Health Education for Refugees and Migrants
On a Programmed Basis
Turkish Language Education Programme for Refugee and Migrant Students
Parent Education Programme: Supporting Children's Sexual Development and Healthy Communication
Communication and Empathy Training for Public Healthcare Professionals
2025