WOMEN SUPPORT in SUBJECTS WHERE THEY ARE UNDERREPRESENTED
At Bahçeşehir University, we are deeply committed to promoting gender equality and fostering diversity across all academic disciplines. As part of this commitment, we actively encourage and support applications from women in subjects where they are historically underrepresented. This includes, but is not limited to, fields such as engineering, technology, and the sciences.
Through targeted outreach initiatives, mentorship and our unique APPLY BAU scholarship system, we provide additional support and opportunities for women to thrive in these areas. Our university recognizes the importance of creating an inclusive environment where women are empowered to pursue their academic and professional goals, particularly in sectors that have traditionally seen lower female participation.
The examples of the support, projects, and events implemented by Bahçeşehir University (BAU) during the 2022-2023 academic years in relation to fields where women are underrepresented are as follows
SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIPS
Bahçeşehir University provides science scholarships to students who want to continue their doctoral education within the scope of its principle of supporting scientists. Science scholarships are awarded in accordance with the university's principle of empowering women in education and science.
In the relevant academic year, 77 students were awarded doctoral science scholarships, and the number of female doctoral students supported by the scholarship is 40. These scholarships will continue uninterrupted for the duration of the doctoral studies, which is a minimum of 4 years.
The table below contains information about students receiving science scholarships. As can be seen from the table, BAU acts with the philosophy of gender equality and women's empowerment by supporting female students in technology and engineering fields where women are less represented.
|
1 |
BUĞRA |
TAŞDEMİR |
BİLGİSAYAR MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
2 |
MERVE |
KARA |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
3 |
LARA |
ÖZER |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
4 |
VESİLE DERYA |
ÇAKIR |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
5 |
ARİFE CEREN |
GÜRSOY |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
6 |
Margrit |
Yeşiltepe |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
7 |
ÖZLEM |
BAYRAKTAR GÖKŞEN |
EKONOMİ VE FİNANS (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
8 |
KENAN |
PELVAN |
EKONOMİ VE FİNANS (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
9 |
SEZGİN CUMHUR |
ÖRNEK |
EKONOMİ VE FİNANS (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
10 |
SERDAR |
KAYA |
ENDÜSTRİ MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
11 |
ŞÜKRAN ECE |
ESİRGEN |
ENDÜSTRİ MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
12 |
HANDE BESNA |
GÖÇEN |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
13 |
HAVVA EZGİ |
ALBAYRAK |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
14 |
ŞENOL |
SÖĞÜT |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
15 |
CEMRENUR |
MANGIR |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
16 |
NİHANSU |
YURTSEVEN AKIŞ |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
17 |
MUSA DUHAN |
MUSAOĞLU |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
18 |
ALPAY |
GÖKÇE |
İŞLETME (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
19 |
BEKİR |
POLAT |
İŞLETME (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
20 |
HASAN |
KARAMAN |
İŞLETME MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
21 |
RAGIP |
ŞENGÜL |
ÖZEL HUKUK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
22 |
BEYHAN |
ÖZEREN |
ÖZEL HUKUK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
23 |
NİHAN |
KALKAN |
REHBERLİK VE PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMANLIK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
24 |
İREM |
HATTAT |
REKLAMCILIK VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
25 |
RAFET FATİH |
ÖZGÜR |
REKLAMCILIK VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
26 |
ÖMER BATUHAN |
ÖZMEN |
REKLAMCILIK VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
27 |
HAMDİ |
APALI |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
28 |
ÖMER FARUK |
CANDAL |
SİNİRBİLİM (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
29 |
MUSTAFA FATİH |
ÇETİNTAŞ |
SİNİRBİLİM (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
30 |
AKIN |
AKYÜZ |
SİNİRBİLİM (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
31 |
AHMET ERTUĞRUL |
AKYOL |
SİYASET BİLİMİ VE ULUSLARARASI İLİŞKİLER (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
32 |
BÜŞRANUR |
TENİK |
SİYASET BİLİMİ VE ULUSLARARASI İLİŞKİLER (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
33 |
EMEL |
TOPÇU |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
34 |
SELİN |
ÖZDEMİR |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
35 |
DİLA |
SÜZAN |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
36 |
BERRİN |
KEMAHLI |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
37 |
SEHLA |
ERTAN |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
38 |
ZEYNEP |
AYDEMİR |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
39 |
MERVE |
SERT ORHAN |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
40 |
CEM |
TAŞDEMİR |
EĞİTİM TEKNOLOJİSİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
41 |
OKTAY |
ÇETİN |
ENDÜSTRİ MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
42 |
MEHMET |
ÖZ |
ENDÜSTRİ MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
43 |
CANSU |
DEMİR |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
44 |
GÖRKEM |
AÇAR |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
45 |
YUSUF |
YAŞASIN |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
46 |
BEYZA |
ÇOBAN |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
47 |
BETÜL |
ÜNAL |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
48 |
İLKER CAN |
BÜYÜKKIRLI |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
49 |
ÖZNUR |
KAYA SAĞLAM |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
50 |
ZERRİN |
YILMAZ |
FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
51 |
KÜBRA |
CAN |
HEMŞİRELİK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
52 |
BARIŞ |
ÖZDERE |
HEMŞİRELİK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
53 |
MELİKE |
UBUZ |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
54 |
NİHAL |
OZDEMİR |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
55 |
SEÇİL |
CENGİZ |
İNGİLİZ DİLİ EĞİTİMİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
56 |
KAAN |
ÖZKORKMAZ |
İŞLETME (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
57 |
MEHMET RAŞİT |
ÖZDOĞLAR |
İŞLETME (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
58 |
ÖZGÜR VOLKAN |
ŞAHİN |
İŞLETME MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
59 |
TAHA |
TAŞDEMİR |
İŞLETME MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
60 |
BURAK |
ŞAHİN |
İŞLETME MÜHENDİSLİĞİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
61 |
AFŞİN BURAK |
UMAR |
KAMU HUKUKU (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
62 |
Mariame |
Bentaibi |
MİMARLIK VE TASARIM (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
63 |
RAGIP |
ŞENGÜL |
ÖZEL HUKUK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
64 |
BUĞRA |
ÖZTÜRK |
REHBERLİK VE PSİKOLOJİK DANIŞMANLIK (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
65 |
NESLİGÜL DENİZ |
KOLAŞİNLİ |
REKLAMCILIK VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
66 |
MURAT |
GÖLLÜ |
REKLAMCILIK VE HALKLA İLİŞKİLER (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
67 |
SİBEL |
ELALTUNTERİN |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
68 |
BEGÜM |
LAVKOR |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
69 |
BALIM |
İSLAMOĞLU |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
70 |
BERKE |
DOĞANOĞLU |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
71 |
MUSTAFA |
TÜRKAN |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
72 |
BANU |
TOPÇU DİREN |
SİNEMA VE MEDYA ARAŞTIRMALARI (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
73 |
EHSAN |
SAYYAH |
SİNİRBİLİM (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
74 |
BAHAR |
KILIÇ |
SİYASET BİLİMİ VE ULUSLARARASI İLİŞKİLER (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
75 |
FATMA |
UÇURUM |
SOSYOLOJİ (İNGİLİZCE, DOKTORA) |
|
76 |
PINAR |
KARAKAYA |
SOSYOLOJİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
|
77 |
AKIN |
MUTLU |
SOSYOLOJİ (TÜRKÇE, DOKTORA) |
2.THE “EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN TECHNOLOGY” PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH BAHÇEŞEHIR UNIVERSITY, YAPI KREDI and UNITAR, CIFAL Istanbul (2023-2026)
Bahçeşehir University’s Technology Transfer Office has added another initiative to its University-Industry Collaboration efforts. Yapı Kredi, in partnership with CIFAL Istanbul, affiliated with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and Bahçeşehir University, has launched the “Equal Opportunity in Technology” project to increase women's participation in the world of innovation and technology.
Through the Equal Opportunity in Technology program, women between the ages of 18-27 will receive free training from experts on topics ranging from big data to artificial intelligence, cloud.
As part of the certification program, we aim to reach 80,000 women between 2023 and the end of 2026, raising awareness in the field of technology.
In this context, training content on topics such as big data, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things, and Industry 5.0, prepared by expert academicians from Bahçeşehir University, will be delivered to participants.
Participants who complete the training sessions included in the certification program and score 70 or above in the final exam will be eligible to receive an E-Government Approved Certificate of Achievement accredited by UNITAR and Bahçeşehir University. Those who complete 75% of the program will be eligible to receive a UNITAR-accredited certificate of participation.
The program is entirely free, and women between the ages of 18-27 who are interested in technology and wish to develop their skills in this field can apply to participate. Additionally, anyone living in “Hope Cities” established by Koç Holding after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, regardless of gender, is welcome to apply to our project.
The certification program consists of 11 training modules and 58 sections. The training content can be accessed via the following link:
https://baugo.online/certificate-programs/teknolojide-firsat-esitligi
Examples of press coverage related to our certification program can be accessed via the following links.
https://www.ekonomigazetesi.com/girisimcilik/teknolojide-firsat-esitligi-projesi-basladi-25267/
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3.APPLY BAU SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM and WOMEN STUDENT SUPPORT RESULTS (Includes STEM Education)
ApplyBAU is Turkey’s first and most innovative university admissions and scholarship model, implemented by Bahçeşehir University in 2013. Instead of focusing on exam systems that measure students' curriculum-based achievements, Bahçeşehir University emphasizes the importance of placing students in universities based on their personal skills, interests, talents, and aspirations through the "Admission" model.
In the ApplyBAU system, Bahçeşehir University allocates specific quotas for women students in each department on an annual basis and systematically tracks scholarship applications from women students. This approach contributes to enhancing women's access to higher education. The gender breakdown of students admitted to the university with scholarships through the ApplyBAU system is transparently shared with the public.
As shown in the table below, the percentage of scholarships awarded to female students is higher than those awarded to male students, demonstrating BAU's commitment to supporting women’s access to education as part of its institutional policy. Additionally, the percentage of scholarships awarded to women in the engineering faculty, where STEM education is provided, is showing a positive upward trend.
|
Gender Breakdown of APPLY BAU Scholarship Beneficiaries |
||||||
|
YEARS |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|||
|
FACULTY |
Male % |
Female % |
Male % |
Female % |
Male % |
Female % |
|
FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENCES |
33% |
67% |
17% |
%83 |
19% |
%81 |
|
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS, ADMINISTRATIVE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES |
46% |
54% |
50% |
50% |
43% |
57% |
|
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND NATURAL SCIENCES |
58% |
42% |
56% |
44% |
51% |
49% |
|
FACULTY OF LAW |
36% |
64% |
43% |
57% |
41% |
59% |
|
FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN |
32% |
68% |
%27 |
73% |
31% |
%69 |
|
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES |
7% |
93% |
18% |
82% |
12% |
88% |
|
SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES |
47% |
53% |
48% |
52% |
45% |
55% |
4. “WOMEN’S ENERGY ON CAMPUS” PROJECT
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Bahçeşehir University is proud to continue its collaboration with Akenerji and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) International Training Center for Managers and Leaders (CIFAL Istanbul) in the Women’s Energy-On Campus roject. Initially launched in 2022, this initiative continues in 2023 with the primary goal of inspiring women and increasing their participation in the energy and engineering sectors, areas where women’s representation has historically been low.
In the energy sector, women’s representation in Turkey remains significantly below global averages, with less than 20% overall and only 10% in blue-collar roles. Similarly, the proportion of female graduates in engineering was just 18% in 2020. This project aims to address these gaps by actively promoting gender equality and empowering future female leaders in the industry.
The Women’s Energy on Campus event was organized to increase the employment rate and effectiveness of women in the energy sector. Its primary aim was to project energy sector more attractive to young women who are new to rojectonal life, project of its key objectives was to inspire women to take on leadership roles.
Participants of the training program, which lasted approximately two months, worked in groups of 8-10 to develop projects related to the energy sector. As part of the event, seminars and trainings were conducted on career planning and human resources management, specifically in sectors such as energy, economy, and finance in Turkey. These sessions helped participants design and present their projects. The program concluded with a certificate ceremony following the project presentations.
During the Women’s Energy on Campus 2 event, organized jointly by Akenerji and Akkök Holding, discussions focused on the latest evaluations of women’s roles and leadership within the energy sector. Participants developed strategies to increase the potential of women in the field and identified future steps for enhancing women’s participation and leadership.
The event was open to all interested young women, offering them the opportunity to engage and contribute to shaping a more inclusive energy sector.
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5. FEMALES LEGENDS OF SCIENCE PROJECT: 8.11.2022- 14.11.2022
The project is based on the values of gender equality and nondiscrimination between women and men in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, innovation and innovative entrepreneurship. The project aimed to direct girls to careers and professions related to STEM fields. Although 5 different country partners are involved in the project, the provincial unity of 6 countries take part in the project as well. These countries; Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Romania.
Objectives of “FEMALES” project: ·
Participants within the duration of the project will be 300 professionals (teachers and others) and 1500 students of the profile described above. Participating organizations are experienced organizations and well suited team of professionals from all aspects of the project from public bodies and educational authorities, University researchers and professors, NGOs and associations with great activity on the STEM field game-based and digital learning tools. BAU University and Sukru Ulgezen vocational high school in Istanbul Turkey, Challedu game-based education NGO from Greece, AIJU digital tools NGO in Spain, Euphoria net European values NGO in Italy , CDDT public body for teacher education in Romania for career development are the partners of the project.
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6.FROM BAHÇEŞEHIR UNIVERSITY TO UZBEKİSTAN: “AI FOR GIRLS' PROJECT
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Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz, and as part of the doctoral dissertation of PhD student Meltem Özmutlu, the 'AI for Girls' project was introduced at a program held on September 19 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), a term frequently heard in fields such as computing and information technology, appears in various domains from tourism to law, IT to the arts. Education, which has become more personalized and comfortable thanks to numerous AI applications, is one of the areas transformed by artificial intelligence. In this context, the 'AI for Girls' project, developed by Bahçeşehir University (BAU) academics, was presented from September 19-21 2022 at the modern IT Park in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Objective: Increasing the number of women in technology by ensuring equal opportunities
The project, which aims to support social development by enabling women to discover their potential in the world of science and technology and increasing the number of women in the technology sector through equal opportunities, provided an opportunity for students and teachers to enhance their knowledge and practical applications in the fields of information technology and AI.
'AI for Girls' can also be offered in STEM centers
The program held in Tashkent was attended by the Deputy Minister of Information Technology and Communications Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Pekos Oleg Andreevich; the Deputy Minister of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Karimjonov Rustam Olimzhonovich; General Manager of the Innovation, Technology, and Strategy Center, Khaidarov Abduvali Abdunabievich; Turkish Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Olkan Bekar; and BAU Rector Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz, along with many academicians, students, and businesspeople. Bahçeşehir University Rector Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz, who traveled to Uzbekistan with the AI-based 'AI for Girls' project, aims for the project to be integrated into the secondary school and high school curriculum by the Uzbekistan Ministry of Education. The course, which is of great importance to both Uzbekistan and educators in the country, can also be offered in STEM centers.
More collaborative projects to come
Highlighting that they have carried an AI teaching program developed as part of a doctoral thesis in the BAU Educational Technology PhD program to the international arena, Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz said, “We implemented this program for girls aged 14-18 in cooperation with the Ministries of Education and Technology of Uzbekistan. The aim of the project, named 'AI for Girls,' is to encourage girls to pursue careers in technology and support them in achieving future successes that can serve as role models. By involving teachers in the project, we also enabled the dissemination of this innovative curriculum. In this sense, our project also carries a social responsibility aspect. We believe this program will significantly contribute to Turkey-Uzbekistan relations and that more joint projects will follow. It was a great team effort, and we are thankful to everyone who contributed.”
Artificial intelligence is a fundamental technology for understanding large-scale data
Khaidarov Abduvali Abdunabievich, General Manager of the Innovation, Technology, and Strategy Center, emphasized the importance of the knowledge students gained in the program, saying, "With the knowledge and training they have received, they will be able to benefit from it in their future careers and lives. Similar projects can be implemented not only in the education sector but perhaps in other industries as well. We wish the best of success to our girls, and it would be wonderful to see them participate in more such projects in the future." Deputy Minister Pekos Oleg Andreevich also highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence as a key technology for understanding large-scale data. He mentioned examples of using AI in banking education to collect data for risk analysis and reducing expenses, as well as in university entrance systems to help security officers recognize students more efficiently.
EN
