Our University Held the Opening Ceremony for the 2026–2027 Academic Year of the ‘60+ Rejuvenation University’

The opening ceremony for the 2026–2027 academic year of the 60+ Rejuvenation University, organised by our university’s Co-ordinating Unit for Ageing Studies, took place on 1 October—World Elderly Day—at the Prof. Dr Uğur Oral Cultural Centre.

The programme was attended by our Rector’s Adviser, Prof. Dr Tuğba Yanpar; the Coordinator of Ageing Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Prof. Dr Duygu Vefikuluçay Yılmaz; the Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Prof. Dr Aslıhan Ardıç Çobaner; the Director of the Institute of Social Sciences, Prof. Dr Recep Ünal; the Director of the Institute of Natural Sciences, Birgül Özdemir; Prof. Dr Zekai Pehlevan, former Dean of the Faculty of Sports Sciences, volunteer trainers, students from our University’s 60+ Tazelenme University programme; students from the Elderly Care Programme; and academic and administrative staff.

The programme began with a minute’s silence and the singing of the National Anthem; following a musical performance by Iuliia Iurchenko, a lecturer at our University’s Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, and student Abdüllatif Jalkhi, it continued with the opening speeches.

Emphasis on the “Age of Longevity” for World Elderly Day 2026

In her speech, Prof. Dr. Duygu Vefikuluçay Yılmaz, Coordinator of Ageing Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, highlighted that World Elderly Day 2026 has been designated by the United Nations under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives’, and emphasised that a long life should not be viewed merely as an extension of lifespan; rather, a life characterised by health, activity, independence and continued social participation is of paramount importance.

Prof. Dr Vefikuluçay Yılmaz noted that our University’s 60+ Rejuvenation University is growing and developing year on year, emphasising that the programme contributes to older people’s learning, socialising, productivity and active participation in life. He noted that the Rejuvenation University also enables older individuals to utilise their knowledge and experience within community life and to continue embracing the concept of lifelong learning.

“Holding On to Life and Striving at Every Age Is Important”

Fahri Saydam, a first-year student at our University’s 60+ Tazelenme University, delivered a speech on the significance and importance of World Senior Citizens’ Day. Saydam explained that whilst he had wanted to pursue a university education in the past but had been unable to do so, he had finally realised his long-held dream of attending university after discovering the 60+ Tazelenme University via social media. In his speech, Saydam emphasised the importance of learning, holding on to life and persevering at any age, and thanked those who had contributed to the establishment of the 60+ Rejuvenation University, which had given him the opportunity to become a university student once again.

Europass Certificates Presented to Erasmus+ Participants

As part of the programme, Europass Group Mobility Participation Certificates were presented to students who took part in the group mobility activities organised under the ‘Tazelenme University Capacity Development’ Project, carried out within the framework of the Erasmus+ Adult Education Student and Staff Mobility (KA122-ADU) scheme.

As part of the project, a group mobility event was held in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, from 18 to 22 May 2026, hosted by the Belgrade Business and Arts Academy of Applied Studies (BAPUSS), providing participants with the opportunity to gain international experience in a different educational environment.

Meral Öngel, Altun Altınkaynak, Bayram Ali Öngel, Günay Özpolat, Semiha Çokövün, Süzan Büyükkıtır, Fatma Eker, Ayşe Ağaçsapan, Seval Kocabaş and Güngör Saygılı, along with team members Ahmet Abalı, Lecturer İbrahim Duman and Prof. Dr. Duygu Vefikuluçay Yılmaz, were presented with their certificates of participation by our Rector’s Adviser, Prof. Dr. Tuğba Yanpar, and the Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Prof. Dr. Aslıhan Ardıç Çobaner.

Emine Kaplanoğlu, Fatma Kaçan, İlknur Suna, Semra Dönertaş, Zeliha Karagedik, Şükrüye Çavdar, Emine Sakar, Nilgün Özgümüş and Hacı Bayram Arslantaş, along with team members Lecturer Dr Özge Gül Zerey and Associate Professor Dr Tuba Güner Emül, received their certificates of participation from Birgül Özdemir, Director of the Institute of Natural Sciences, and Prof. Dr Zekai Pehlevan, former Dean of the Faculty of Sports Sciences.

“Healthy Ageing and Geriatrics” Conference Held

The conference, entitled “Healthy Ageing and Geriatrics” and delivered by Associate Professor Dr Meriş Esra Bozkurt, a geriatric specialist from the Department of Geriatrics within the Department of Internal Medicine at our University’s Faculty of Medicine, addressed healthy ageing and the geriatric healthcare approach from a multi-dimensional perspective. It was emphasised that, during old age, the focus should not be solely on the treatment of diseases, but also on preserving the individual’s independence and quality of life.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Bozkurt highlighted: whilst informing participants about topics such as exercise and physical activity, maintaining muscle strength, healthy and adequate nutrition, medication safety, fall prevention, vaccinations and screenings, cognitive and mental health, sleep, social life and comprehensive geriatric assessment, she highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare practices and early detection in safeguarding the health of older adults.

60+ Rejuvenation University Begins New Academic Year

With the opening ceremony, our University’s 60+ Rejuvenation University has commenced the 2026–2027 academic year. The 60+ Rejuvenation University, which supports older people’s participation in lifelong learning processes, will continue to contribute to older people’s ability to apply their knowledge and experience to various areas of life through the programmes it offers in the fields of education, social participation, productivity, health and active ageing.

Press and Public Relations Department