From Ideas to Impact: Young People Creating AI Solutions for a Better World

A Global Student and Community Collaboration Initiative from Türkiye

Celebrating its 24th year, the “International ICT Seagulls” Projects have been redesigned for 2027 with a strong focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-supported processes. The aim is to encourage youth, academics, and all societal actors to develop ethical, sustainable, innovative, and feasible AI solutions to current and future challenges.

Project leadership and coordination. The design, continuous updating, and coordination of the project process are the responsibility of Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal. Project management is carried out by the Association for Innovative Collaboration (YİMEDER) and the World Council for Total Quality and Excellence in Education (WCTQEE)—Türkiye General Directorate, within Hayal Köksal Networking.

Supporting organizations. The initiative is supported by Istanbul Kent University, Human Dignity & Humiliation Studies Network, World Dignity University Initiative, Nepal QUEST, Tria ICT (Bilişim), İNGED Q-ELT, Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI), and Global Collaboration for Early Childhood Education & Research (GCECER).

PURPOSE

• To raise social awareness by exploring both the benefits and the potential risks of Artificial Intelligence.
• To develop innovative, feasible projects through interdisciplinary collaboration (= İmece).
• To integrate the principles of sustainability, equality, and ethics into all stages of the project process.
• To teach youth and community members team-oriented problem-solving methods and the use of scientific quality tools through the “İmece Circles” method, which won the World Bank Award in the 2005 Turkey Creative Development Ideas Competition. More than five thousand projects have been managed using this method to date.

Project reflections: www.bilisimcimartilar.com/english

TARGET AUDIENCE CATEGORIES

• K–12 students and teachers, including all pre-school organizations — ICT Seagulls
• Associate, undergraduate, and graduate university students — Leading Seagulls
• Young professionals, local entrepreneurs, experienced businesspeople, NGO representatives, and local governments — Community Seagulls

Inclusion: Participation of individuals with disabilities is encouraged in all categories. Disability NGOs are especially welcome so that this goal can be realized.

Leading Seagulls → Redesigned for Universities

LEADING SEAGULLS: UNIVERSITY PROJECTS

Objective. To encourage students from all university faculties to collaborate creatively and scientifically in developing solutions to current global issues, including Artificial Intelligence and sustainable living.

Project culture. Projects are conducted within the 23-year-long collective action culture of ICT Seagulls (İmece) and are guided by the PDCA Mindset — Plan–Do–Check–Act — as a quality-cycle approach.

PARTICIPANTS AND TEAM STRUCTURE OF LEADING SEAGULL PROJECTS

Recommended participating faculties and disciplines include:

• Faculties of Education: especially teacher candidates and educational technology departments
• Faculties of Engineering and Technology: Computer, Electrical-Electronics, Food, Mechatronics, Environmental Engineering, etc.
• Faculties of Architecture and Design: Sustainable Architecture, Industrial Design, Landscape Architecture
• Faculties of Science and Letters and Social Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology, History, Literature, Archaeology, Philosophy
• Faculties of Economics and Administrative Sciences: Governance, Social Entrepreneurship, Leadership, etc.
• Faculties of Health Sciences: Public Health, Hygiene, Disability Studies, Elderly Care
• Faculties of Fine Arts: Awareness through Art, Social Innovation Spaces
• Other faculties and disciplines: Law, Communication, Sports Sciences, etc.

MAIN THEMES:

1. AI & CLIMATE ACTION: FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT: Using Artificial Intelligence and

Collective Action to Address Local Climate Challenges

2. Technology, Empowerment & NEXGEN LEADERSHIP. HOW TO USE AI in YOUR FIELD ETHICALLY?

3. AI FOR HER: Preventing Violence, Empowering Women

Teams / Circles: 5–10 students, 1–2 academic advisors, and preferably an external stakeholder (NGO representative, local administrator, artist, or engineer). Multidisciplinary teams involving students from different faculties are strongly encouraged.

PROJECT PROCESS AND STEPS

1. Registration and Initial Training — 3 Months: October–December 2026

• Teams are formed and register; initial training dates and locations are arranged with Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal.
• Training covers the history of ICT Seagulls, sustainable living principles, and project management. H. Köksal delivers training via Zoom or in person.

2. Planning and Data Collection — 2 Months: January–February 2027

• Teams conduct problem analysis and literature reviews. Planning marks the first step of the PDCA cycle and is supported by quality tools.
• Continuous communication with the coordinator guides project development.

3. Project Development — 3 Months: March–May 2027

• Teams complete the remaining three steps of the PDCA cycle: Do, Check, and Act, using quality tools.

4. Mentorship and Support — Optional, ongoing throughout the process

• Academics, engineers, artists, and NGOs may provide mentorship and expert support.

5. Presentation and Sharing — 1 Month: June 2027

• Projects are presented in PPT format together with a short film, website, or blog.
• Projects are exhibited and evaluated by jury members.

6. Evaluation — 2 Months: July–August 2027

• 50% Peer Evaluation — by other participating teams.
• 50% Jury Evaluation — by an international jury.

7. Award Ceremony, Outputs, and Dissemination — 2 Months: September–October 2027

• Award categories include “Best Interdisciplinary Project,” “Most Creative AI Solution,” and “Special Award for Social Impact,” among others.
• Successful teams receive certificates at an online ceremony or at international conventions.
• Selected projects are published in a Ready-to-Implement Project Booklet and digital catalog.
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EVALUATION CRITERIA

The assessment phase takes place under 3 categories: Initial Assessment of the General Coordinator, Peer-assessment, and Jury-assessment.  Criteria may be listed as follows:

• Creativity and innovation
• Interdisciplinary approach and contribution to İmece culture
• Ethical, social, and environmental impact
• Feasibility and sustainability
• Compliance with Total Quality Management principles
•  

CORE READING & ACADEMIC GIFT

Recommended Core Reading

• To help participants understand the educational philosophy and collaborative culture underlying the ICT Seagulls Projects, the following book by Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal is recommended as a core reading:
• Catch Your Kids in Time for Educating
  Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal
  Lambert Academic Publishing
• A Special Academic Gift for International Participants
• As a complimentary academic contribution to the ICT Seagulls 2027 community, two selected academic papers by Prof. Dr. Hayal Köksal will be shared digitally with registered international participants.
• The papers are offered as an additional opportunity for participants to explore the theoretical and Research
• foundations that inform the ICT Seagulls approach, İmece, collaborative learning, quality, human dignity, and education for sustainable futures.

INTERNATIONAL JUDGES

• Prof. Dr. Syed ALİ (USA, Johns Hopkins University)
• Dr. Vineeta KAMRAN (India, WCTQEE)
• Dr. Nirajan ADHİKARİ (Nepal, Nepal QUEST & Nirvana Academy)
• Prof. Dr. Aydan ERSÖZ (Türkiye, İNGED)
• Prof. Dr. Metin TOPRAK (Türkiye, Istanbul University)
• Prof. Dr. Gonca TELLİ YAMAMOTO (Türkiye, Türkiye Informatics Society)

APPLICATION AND DATES

Registration and project applications: November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027 (via YİMEDER).

For registration forms and further details, please contact:

• Prof. Dr. Hayal KÖKSAL
• [email protected]       [email protected]       [email protected]       [email protected]
• Tel: +90 212 341 26 02    Cell: +90 532 373 8487

Project information: www.bilisimcimartilar.com/english

A SPECIAL INVITATION TO INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

We warmly invite all K-12 schools, universities, educators, students, NGOs, community organizations, professionals, and local partners all over the world to join ICT Seagulls 2027. Bring local challenges, ideas, knowledge, creativity, and young innovators into an international learning and collaboration community. Through İmece, participants can learn from one another, work across disciplines and cultures, and transform ideas into practical projects with social impact.

LET’S LEARN TOGETHER • CREATE TOGETHER • ACT TOGETHER

SUPPORTING BODIES

Istanbul Kent University • YİMEDER • WCTQEE—Türkiye General Directorate • Human Dignity & Humiliation Studies Network • World Dignity University Initiative • Nepal QUEST • Tria Bilişim • İNGED Q-ELT • Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) • Global Collaboration for Early Childhood Education & Research (GCECER)