Duygu Erzurumlu Cengiz, Human Resources Director of Akkök Holding and Akenerji, emphasized the importance of the "Women's Energy on Campus" project for the future of the energy sector: "As Akkök Holding's energy group companies, we are carrying out the Women's Energy Project jointly and simultaneously, with gender equality as our goal. We are starting with young people to make women's energy widespread in the energy sector. We will introduce our sector closely to future leaders. Bringing future female leaders into the energy sector, and raising awareness of gender equality while doing so, is of great value to us."

University and Private Sector Together

Speaking at the launch, CIFAL Istanbul-UNITAR Director Prof. Dr. Ebru Canan Sokullu noted that the collaboration was initiated to guide female students toward the energy sector. Stating that Women's Energy on Campus brings academia and the private sector together, Sokullu said: "This is a project we started with great hope, and we believe it will produce positive results. We are excited that it also serves the sustainable development goals."

Bahçeşehir University President Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz stated that Women's Energy on Campus is important because it brings together women's education and the energy sector. Expressing that Bahçeşehir University is pleased to support the project, Karadeniz said: "According to research, 67 percent of women working in the energy sector aim for senior management positions, while 61 percent have not been promoted in the last five years. This shows that although the potential is there, glass ceilings remain. Our priority should therefore be to remove these barriers."

You can access press coverage of the Women's Energy on Campus program through the links below.

https://bruckemagazin.at/enerji-sektoeruende-kadin-enerjisi/

https://www.normhaber.com/enerji-sektorunde-kadin-enerjisi-199837

https://toptalent.co/akenerji-kadin-enerjisi-kampuste-114812

Women and Girls in Science 101

Actively supporting the empowerment of women in many areas of life is the responsibility of all individuals and of humanity as a whole. Girls and women deserve, just as much as men, to be seen, heard and supported in reaching their potential. It is of great importance to remove the barriers that prevent girls and women from exercising their free will, pursuing their dreams and building their lives freely and with equal rights.

The "Women and Girls in Science" webinar is an event organized by CIFAL Istanbul, UNITAR and the CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform at Bahçeşehir University, aiming to take action by raising awareness of the right of women and girls to take part in technology and science. Under the theme of sustainability, the event supports Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 10, "Gender Equality" and "Reduced Inequalities."

FEMALES – Legends of Science Project: Dissemination Activities, 8–14 November 2022 

The project is based on the values of gender equality and non-discrimination between women and men in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, innovation and innovative entrepreneurship. The project aims to guide girls toward careers and professions in STEM fields. It involves five country partners, with six national bodies taking part in total, from Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Spain and Romania. 

Objectives of the "FEMALES" Project:

• To highlight the significant role of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) 
• To challenge the stereotypes held by students and teachers 
•  To inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers through role-model-based education 
•  To strengthen the acquisition of key skills and competencies for STEM careers among all students (boys and girls) 
•  To enhance teachers' skills in promoting inclusion in STEM 

Over the course of the project, 300 professionals (teachers and others) and 1,500 students of the target profile will participate. The participating organizations are experienced institutions with well-suited teams of professionals covering all aspects of the project, including public bodies and educational authorities, university researchers and professors, and NGOs and associations highly active in STEM, game-based and digital learning tools. The project partners are Bahçeşehir University and Şükrü Ülgezen Vocational High School in Istanbul, Türkiye; Challedu, a game-based education NGO from Greece; AIJU, a digital tools NGO from Spain; Euphoria Net S.r.l., a European values NGO from Italy; and CDDT, a public body for teacher education and career development from Romania.