Founded in Istanbul by the Sabanci Foundation, Sabanci University began its educational journey in 1999 by admitting its first students. Sabanci University contributes to the generation and development of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary research while nurturing internationally competent and self-confident individuals under its mission of “Creating and Developing Together.”

One of the most significant innovations Sabanci University has brought to higher education in Türkiye is the inclusion of the Civic Involvement Projects (CIP) course as a compulsory course in the curriculum. This course, continuously implemented since 1999, aims to make university students aware of the society they live in through active citizenship awareness and represents the university’s leadership in the field of social responsibility.

CIP 101 is a course that every student must take before graduation. By participating in projects addressing social issues, students have the opportunity to enhance both their individual and societal awareness. CIP adopts a peer leadership model, where projects are managed and implemented by peer leaders. These leaders take active roles in every stage of the projects, from managing the project team to implementing the projects, with wide-ranging responsibilities. This course supports students in developing leadership, teamwork, and social impact skills.

Efforts are ongoing to enable the implementation of this pioneering course at other universities in Türkiye. In recent years, various initiatives have been launched to introduce and promote the program at the high school level. In this context, the Award Program for High School Students, initiated in 2024, marked an important milestone.

The university actively collaborates with municipalities, civil society organizations, and international partners to broaden the scope of its community engagement. Thousands of students participate in Civic Involvement Projects annually, with initiatives reaching diverse groups across Türkiye. These experiences foster both measurable social benefit and the development of socially responsible, empathetic graduates.

Sabanci University’s institutional dedication to University Social Responsibility is not limited to student engagement; it is reflected in its policies, academic partnerships, and research agendas. As a model of socially engaged higher education, the university continues to contribute meaningfully to building a more just, inclusive, and participatory society.

University Website: https://www.sabanciuniv.edu/en
Civic Involvement Projects Website: https://cip.sabanciuniv.edu/en/homepage