Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) is adding a new one to its social contribution projects by implementing the 'Village University' project. The project, which will be implemented in 25 villages selected as pilots from the central district villages of Burdur, aims to improve the quality of life of citizens living in rural areas.
Within the scope of the project, the villages with more than 1000 cattle and according to age distribution in the 25 designated villages were divided into three categories. Villages where more than 20% of the population are children are defined as children's village, villages where more than 20% are young are defined as youth village, and villages where more than 30% are elderly are defined as elderly village. Trainings in different fields will be provided to the villages according to these categories.
In the training program that will start in March 2025; topics such as animal husbandry, agriculture and economy, ecological literacy, social and cultural development, healthy living, emergency management, preventive health, spiritual development, and young volunteers in the village will be covered. The project aims for economic revitalization, social and cultural development, and an increase in quality of life in rural areas.
The promotional meeting of the project was attended by 25 village headmen and their representatives. The meeting started with the project's promotional film, followed by a speech from MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar.
Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar: "We are a University integrated with society"
Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar stated that universities now need to be closer and more intertwined with society. Dalgar said, "As MAKÜ, we have reached 180 villages in Burdur as a specialized university in the field of animal husbandry for the last five years and provided training. However, we have seen that it is not enough to provide information only about animal husbandry in rural areas. There is a need for support in different areas from health to digital literacy, from spiritual development to elderly care."
Village University a first in Turkey
Rector Dalgar emphasized that the Village University project is a first in Turkey, stating that with this project, they aim to touch the lives of citizens living in rural areas and transfer the university's knowledge to society. Expressing that universities are no longer institutions disconnected from society, Dalgar said, “For the first time in Turkey, the concept of Village University is being used with this project. We think and feel that this project is worthy of a university that bears the name of our national poet, a man of action and cause, who comes from the people. If we achieve successful results from this project, if we can touch the life of an elderly uncle in our village, or a fellow citizen engaged in farming, or a child, if we can inspire them, if we can make them happy, then we will be able to say that we have achieved something and we will feel happy to be able to serve our people in this way,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Dalgar stated that students will also be present alongside the academics to be sent to the villages, saying, "The inclusion of our young people in this project will allow them to see the challenges faced in rural life on-site and develop empathy. In this way, they will become more sensitive individuals to different segments of society in the future".
The promotional meeting was held with intense participation
The promotional meeting of the MAKÜ Village University project was held with the participation of village headmen and village representatives. The details of the project were explained by Project Representative Assoc. Dr. Umut Yanardağ.
The headmen and village representatives also shared their views and suggestions at the meeting, contributing to the development of the project. MAKÜ officials stated that the process will be shaped according to the needs observed in the field and that it may expand to more villages in the future.