Winners of the Award Program Among High School Students Announced!

The Award Program Among High School Students was launched by Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects to reward and encourage young people's sensitivity to social problems. The Award Program aims to increase the curiosity and enthusiasm of young people about social responsibility, raise awareness, encourage their participation in social responsibility projects and highlight young people who take an active role in social change.

Those who were deemed worthy of the award among the work carried out by the candidates who applied to the program throughout the year were announced at a ceremony held on December 5, 2024 at Sabancı University Performing Arts Center. The ceremony, held on World Volunteer Day, was hosted by Sabancı University Vice Rector Cem Güneri and Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects Manager Zeynep Bahar. 

Akın Atabulu and Derin Yandaş's project on “Energy Awareness: Doing More with Less” from Izmir Private Eraslan Anatolian High School won the first prize. Leyla Akça, Ayşe Yaylacı and Dilara Özen’s project on “Increasing Awareness of Celiac Disease and Producing Solutions by Minimizing the Difficulties Faced by Individuals with Celiac Disease” from Ankara Eskişehir Yolu Sınav College Science High School was awarded the second prize. Rana Kılıç, İrem Altay and Helin Turgut’s project on “Awareness Project on Violence against Women” from Batman Anatolian High School won third prize. In addition, Alp Özpamir's 6 - Dot Brick Project from Izmir American College won the Technology and Social Innovation Award. The winners received their awards from Sabancı University Board of Trustees Member Melisa Sabancı Tapan, Sabancı University Vice Rector Cem Güneri and Sabancı University Civic Involvement Projects Manager Zeynep Bahar.

After the award ceremony, the winners shared details about their projects in a panel moderated by Sabancı University graduate, content producer, and actress Nursena Yılmaz. Following the panel, Sabancı University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Zafer Yenal gave a speech on “Volunteering and Sustainability”.

Within the scope of the program organized for the first time this year, the top three students also won the opportunity to study at Sabancı University Summer High School with full scholarship. Amazon Turkey presented gift vouchers to each winning student. We would also like to thank CarrefourSA for the food support during the event.

Next year's applications for the Award Program Among High School Students will be accepted between May 1-31, 2025. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on December 5, 2025, World Volunteer Day.