As part of Kapadokya University’s sustainability efforts, the Kapadokya University Environmental Sustainability Leadership Award has been traditionally presented to one student each year since the 2021-2022 academic year. The award aims to support final-year students who have successfully participated in environmental sustainability efforts and raised awareness to promote ecological sensitivity throughout their university education. Additionally, the award seeks to encourage the development of students with environmental awareness. This year’s recipient is Ayşegül Helin Güneri, a fourth-year student from the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities at Kapadokya University.
On June 12, 2024, during the Faculty of Humanities graduation ceremony, Ayşegül Helin Güneri, the Environmental Sustainability Leader, was presented with a 5000 TL award cheque by Dr. Fatma Aykanat, Head of the Sustainability Commission, and Dr. Selda Öztürk, Coordinator of the Sustainability Office at Kapadokya University.
Since 2020, Ayşegül Helin Güneri has been actively involved in managing the Young TEMA Club at our university and served as the club’s president during the 2022-2023 period. As emphasized in her application for the Environmental Sustainability Leadership Award, she has guided her efforts with the motto: “We are at war with nature, and if we win, we will lose.” She has participated in numerous environment-focused activities. These activities include providing environmental awareness training for students in ecological schools with other volunteers under the titles “If There Are Bees, There Are Tomorrows” and “Tree Brotherhood” (both in person and online). In 2022, she was selected as Kapadokya University’s “Climate Ambassador.” She participated in the “Şirince Communication Program” initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and the Istanbul Climate Summit held on December 23, 2022.
Güneri has participated in many events with the Young TEMA Club and has worked to increase the number of Kapadokya University students involved in ecological and environmental sustainability activities. She has received awards for her efforts. Representing the Young TEMA Club of Kapadokya University, she attended the TEMA Foundation general meeting held in Eskişehir on March 1, 2024, where she participated in three days of sustainability training, presentations, field studies, and knowledge competition.
Believing that everyone must work towards a more livable world, Ayşegül Helin Güneri has successfully integrated sustainability awareness into her daily life, turning it into a lifestyle. Through her exemplary work, she earned the 2024 Environmental Sustainability Leadership Award.
