An Inspiring Project from Our University for Young People: Our Roma Children Got to Know the Campus

Under the auspices of the Mersin Governor’s Office and as part of a meaningful project carried out in collaboration with our university, the Mersin University Sports Club, and the Mersin Roma and Musicians Association, Roma students attending Fatih Elementary School, Necatibey Elementary School, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Elementary School, and the Akdeniz Mufti’s Office Quran Course in the Akdeniz and Toroslar districts were hosted at our university.

The gathering, held on Monday, October 12, at the Vadi Social Facilities on the Çiftlikköy Campus, was attended by: Mersin Deputy Governor İrfan Demiröz; our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar; Mersin Provincial Director of National Education Muhammed Özdemirci; the President of our University Sports Club, Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Uyanık, and members of the Board of Directors; the President of the Mersin Roma and Musicians Association, Talip Moğoltekin; our department heads; our teachers; and a large number of students.

“The Compassionate Hand of Our State Is Always Over Our Children”

In his speech at the event, Mersin Deputy Governor İrfan Demiröz emphasized that the state stands by children and youth with all its resources. Demiröz stated, “We are deeply pleased to bring our bright young people together with the university environment through this meaningful project implemented under the auspices of our Governor’s Office. Our goal is to touch the lives of our children through their educational journey, prepare them for the future in the best possible way, and inspire them to turn their university dreams into reality. The compassionate hand of our government will always remain over these beautiful children. I would like to thank all our partners who contributed to this effort.”

“The Doors of Our University Are Wide Open to Our Youth”

Highlighting how our university embraces all the dynamics of the city, our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, offered advice to the students regarding their educational journeys. Rector Prof. Dr. Yaşar said, “I wholeheartedly believe that the children we are welcoming here today will one day sit in these very classrooms as university students, receiving their education and shaping the future of our country. Seeing the excitement and joy in their eyes is our greatest source of motivation. The doors of our university are wide open to all young people who dream, who want to learn, and who strive to succeed. I would like to express my gratitude to the Governor’s Office and all our project partners for making this wonderful gathering possible.”

“We Stand by Our Youth Through the Unifying Power of Sports”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Zeki Uyanık, President of the Mersin University Sports Club, highlighted the critical role of sports not only in physical development but also in social integration. Expressing his delight at being on the field with the children, Uyanık said, “With the unique and unifying power of sports, we aim to contribute to the physical and mental development of our youth. As the Mersin University Sports Club, we take great pride in introducing our children to sports at an early age and sharing in their pure excitement on the field. “To help these children—who are the guarantee of our future—channel their energy in the right direction, our club’s facilities and resources will always be open to them. We extend our gratitude to Mersin Governor Atilla Toros and our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erol Yaşar, for their support in this regard,” he said.

“We Hope These Activities Will Continue and Grow in the Future”

Talip Moğoltekin, President of the Mersin Roma and Musicians Association and the Governor’s Office Roma Coordinator, also expressed his delight at participating in such a special event. Moğoltekin said, “On behalf of our association, I would like to thank everyone who contributed—especially our Governor and Rector—for introducing our Romani children to our university and providing them with unforgettable and enjoyable moments. We hope that such activities will continue and expand in the future to broaden the horizons of our youth.”

Exhibition Match and Colorful Moments on Campus

Following the official speeches, various gifts were distributed to the children as mementos of the day, and a group photo was taken.

As part of the event, an exhibition match was also organized among the children on the turf field at Vadi Social Facilities. After the soccer match, which featured some very competitive and joyful moments, everyone moved to our University’s Central Dining Hall, where lunch was served to the children.

Having enjoyed a full and fun-filled day, the Romani students left the university campus happily.

Press and Public Relations Department