Cyprus International University [CIU] Tree Festival in Taşkent Plants 265 Saplings

Students from the Cyprus International University Faculty of Education visited the town of Taşkent for a huge tree planting event.

The festival was organized by junior students Sevil Bıyık, Laden Partalcı, Fatma Hilal Çiçek and Esra Dilara Gökdemir, who are studying in CIU’s Department of Pre-School Teacher Education. As a result of their efforts, a plantation with 265 saplings bearing the name of CIU was established in Taşkent.

Students organizing the event as part of their social responsibility project met with authorities from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Forestry in an effort to develop the festival and to obtain saplings.

Having received authorization from the Office of Taşkent Headman, students began work in the vicinity of Taşkent Cemetery for Martyrs. Students cleared the area at regular intervals for three weeks before digging planting holes.

The festival commenced with opening speeches from the Dean for the CIU Faculty of Education, Prof. Servet Özdemir, and the Head of the CIU Department of Pre-School Teacher Education, Asst. Prof. Tuba Gökmenoğlu. Speaking about the event and the project with the theme “Think Local and Think Green for a Greener Island”, Prof. Özdemir and Dr. Gökmenoğlu pointed to the significance of such projects for social responsibility. Following the speeches, coronations were laid on tombstones during a visit to Taşkent’s cemetery for martyrs.

Commencing the planting of trees after the cemetery visit, students were assisted by staff from the Ministry of Environment and the Natural Resources Department of Forestry. Attended by many CIU students from the CIU Pre-School Teacher Education Department as well as other CIU departments, lecturers and staff members, the Tree Planting Festival was a significant contribution to a greener future for the island.

Credit: Ajans CIU