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INTERNATIONAL MERSİN SCIENCE NIGHT

Project description

Promoting science in Mersin, Turkey

The EU-funded MERSCIN project will increase public awareness about researchers’ work and achievements. It will connect the general public with the scientific world by organising the European Researchers’ Night in the Turkish Mediterranean coastal city of Mersin. This is a rapidly developing city with a growing population due mainly to immigration from eastern Turkey and Syria. The project will involve 15 Turkish and 1 Austrian organisation, as well as several stakeholders, including universities and public figures. MERSCIN will focus on environmental issues and local habitats threatened by mass urbanisation. It will also aim to establish a Science Centre. The project’s overall aim is to promote science careers among young people.

Objective

The MERSCIN (International Mersin Science Night) project proposal sets out to host a European Researchers’ Night in the Turkish
Mediterranean coastal city of Mersin. Sixteen participating organisations will take part - one Austrian and fifteen Turkish together
with the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders comprising high level officials, universities and public figures.
The main aims of the proposal are to increase public awareness about science and the work of researchers and to bridge
the gap between scientists and the general public, to actively promote science and research as a vitally important and
rewarding career path for the young generations participating and to instill greater environmental awareness in citizens and
impart the need to protect dwindling local habitats from the ongoing mass urbanisation whilst also convincing the
participating stakeholders of the same issues. Ultimately through hosting this event we would aim to create a platform
formed by strong public opinion gained from the increase of awareness during the event, towards pressurising local
governmental bodies towards the establishment of a Science Centre. The objectives will be achieved by exposing a large
cross section of the public and in particularly schoolchildren and youths to a rich diversity of disciplines in science and by
creating a festival spirit amongst participants. Because the European Researchers’ Night is a huge annual event in many
European cities attendees will feel the excitement of being able to take part in this multi-national NIGHT, especially
providing motivation for the young generations to become involved in science. The ability to host a Researchers’ Night event
in Mersin would provide a range of benefits to this rapidly developing city which in recent years has seen a large population
increase through immigration from easter Turkish cities and Syria.

Coordinator

MERSIN UNIVERSITESI
Net EU contribution
€ 52 000,00
Address
CIFTLIKKOY KAMPUSU REKTORLUK BINAS
33343 Mersin
Türkiye

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Region
Akdeniz Adana Mersin
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 52 000,00

Participants (15)