Istinye University FEAS The 1st Interdisciplinary Student Symposium, titled "Sustainability in Interdisciplinary Studies," will be held in-person on December 16-17, 2024. Organized in cooperation with the International Research Center on Sustainability, the symposium will also host workshops on sustainability themes, involving student participation from various research centers within the university. Istinye University students who have integrated their education and interests with sustainability topics are invited to share their work at the symposium and workshops. Sessions will be conducted in both Turkish and English.
The concept of sustainability, which has frequently surfaced in recent years, encompasses environmental protection, societal development, and economic growth. This concept, when examined within the frameworks of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, aligns closely with national demographics, resource utilization, health, education, housing, communication-transport, infrastructure facilities, and the level of technology and inclusive institutions. These aspects are nearly identical to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
Focusing on the environmental dimension, it's evident that both developed and developing countries have been exploiting global resources excessively to achieve their growth and development targets, leading to environmental issues. These countries highlight that the rapid depletion of natural resources due to global warming, climate change, and climate crisis could jeopardize the needs of future generations. In this context, countries are striving to use scarce resources efficiently while also seeking renewable alternatives to counteract natural resource scarcity. Nations that can coordinate environmental issues with production and consumption awareness activities are emerging as leaders. The third common goal fed by the synergy of sustainable development and environmental awareness emphasizes social development, which underlines the shared responsibility of stakeholders for the full implementation of sustainable development goals. Therefore, it's crucial to integrate these goals into all relevant strategies and policies at both central and local levels. Particularly, universities play a crucial role in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through partnerships with the private and public sectors and NGOs.
Universities should take immediate responsibility by incorporating sustainable development goals into their educational programs, playing a significant role in creating student awareness.
This is why the theme "Sustainability in Interdisciplinary Studies" was chosen for the Istinye University FEAS 1st Interdisciplinary Student Symposium, based on the necessity to address the concept of sustainability at different levels in Vocational Schools, Undergraduate and Graduate programs.