This project, an example of university-public-professional organization collaboration, aims to contribute to the healthy development of children.
The Protective Eyes Project has been launched.
The Protective Eyes Project Eyeglasses Presentation Ceremony, hosted by Atlas University, brought together public institutions, academia, and civil society organizations around a common goal. As part of the project, eye health screenings for children benefiting from foster care services were conducted by specialist physicians from Atlas University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. Following the examinations, the children and their families were presented with optical and sunglasses.
The program aimed to support the healthy development of children as well as to raise public awareness of foster care services.
A widely attended ceremony was held.
The ceremony was attended by Atlas University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Abdülhalim Şenyiğit, Istanbul Kağıthane Social Services Director Fatih Çıtak, Kağıthane Municipality Deputy Mayor Nedret Apaydın, President of the Turkish Opticians and Eyewear Association Ayhan Demircan, Atlas University Vocational School Director Lecturer İlkay Altunsoy, as well as academics, public representatives, foster families, and children.
Prof. Dr. Abdülhalim Şenyiğit: "Universities should be institutions that generate social benefit."
In his opening speech, Atlas University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Abdülhalim Şenyiğit emphasized that universities should not only produce education and science but also be institutions that develop solutions to social problems.
Prof. Dr. Şenyiğit stated that the Protective Eyes Project is a successful example of collaboration between the public sector, universities, and professional organizations, adding that healthy vision in children will make significant contributions in many areas, from their education to their social development.
Highlighting the responsibility that foster families undertake on behalf of society, Şenyiğit thanked all the institutions and stakeholders who contributed to the project.
Fatih Çıtak: “Touching a Child's Life Means Giving Hope for the Future”
Fatih Çıtak, the Director of Social Services in Kağıthane, Istanbul, emphasized the importance of foster families in children's lives in his speech.
Çıtak stated that the eye screenings and eyeglass support provided through the Protective Eyes Project are a tangible demonstration of gratitude towards foster families. Expressing that efforts to protect and strengthen families are continuing with determination, Çıtak thanked Atlas University, the Turkish Opticians and Eyewear Association, and all stakeholder institutions for their support of the project.
Turkish Opticians and Eyewear Dealers Association Emphasizes Social Responsibility
Ayhan Demircan, the President of the Turkish Opticians and Eyewear Dealers Association, also spoke about the social responsibility activities the association carries out throughout Türkiye.
Demircan stated that they have undertaken many projects, from eyeglass donation campaigns in earthquake zones to school screenings, and added that the Protective Eyes Project is an important part of these efforts.
Demircan stated that they provide not only optical glasses but also sunglasses to foster families, and that they will continue to participate in every project that contributes to the education and quality of life of children.
Contributing to a Healthy Future for Children
Thanks to eye health screenings conducted within the scope of the Protective Eyes Project, children's vision problems were detected early, and the necessary optical supports were provided.
The project, carried out in line with Atlas University's social responsibility vision, is among the exemplary initiatives that contribute to the education, health, and social lives of children through collaboration between public institutions, universities, and professional organizations.
