Atatürk University actively promotes women’s participation and applications in disciplines where female representation has traditionally been low, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), computer science, physics, and engineering fields. The university’s approach integrates policy-level commitment, social responsibility projects, outreach activities, and scholarship opportunities to ensure gender-inclusive access to all areas of study.
1. Institutional Policy and Monitoring Framework
Atatürk University embeds gender equality in its strategic planning and educational governance. Two specialized centers coordinate these efforts:
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The Center for Social Sensitivity Projects (ATA-TDM) and
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The Women’s Studies Research and Application Center (ATAKAM).
These units collaborate to design and implement projects promoting gender equality, awareness, and women’s participation in science and technology-related areas.
(ATA-TDM Official Website)
The university systematically monitors gender-based data on applications, admissions, and graduation rates. The SDG Information Document provides a breakdown of graduates across STEM, medicine, and humanities disciplines by gender, allowing identification of underrepresented fields and targeted interventions.
(SDG Information Document – Atatürk University)
In addition, Atatürk University’s participation in the Eurasia Higher Education Summit 2020 (EURIE) included sessions on “Women Leadership in Higher Education and STEM”, reinforcing the university’s institutional stance on empowering women in scientific careers.
(International Relations Office – EURIE Participation)
2. Targeted Outreach and Promotion Activities
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“Future Empowered by Women” Campaign (Kadın Gücüyle Güçlenen Gelecek):
A dedicated awareness initiative hosted on the SDG portal highlights women’s achievements and encourages young women to pursue scientific and technological disciplines through inspirational stories and academic success showcases.
(SDG Portal – Atatürk University)
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STEM and Coding Workshops for Girls:
Through the Center for Social Sensitivity Projects (ATA-TDM), the university organizes community-based outreach such as “Coding Days with Girls” and “Electronics for High School Students” programs. These initiatives introduce young girls to technology, coding, and radio-electronics to strengthen early interest in technical fields.
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Public Exhibitions and Women’s Achievement Campaigns:
Every year, Atatürk University celebrates International Women’s Day (March 8) with exhibitions and conferences such as “Women Through the Lens” (Kadın Gözünden Kareler) — emphasizing women’s scientific and academic achievements rather than vulnerability.
(Exhibition Brochure PDF)
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Panels and Role Model Events:
The event “Women in Politics”, organized jointly by the Women’s Studies Center and İPEKYOLUSİFED Women in Business Commission, encouraged female participation in political science, public administration, and leadership studies — areas where female representation remains below national averages.
(Atatürk University News – Women in Politics Panel)
3. Scholarships and Financial Incentives
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The Atatürk University Development Foundation provides scholarships for high-achieving and economically disadvantaged students. The program prioritizes women in STEM and technology disciplines, offering sustained monthly support.
(Atatürk University Development Foundation Scholarships) -
STEM Bursaries for Women:
In collaboration with private partners such as Huawei and regional NGOs, the university continues to develop co-funded bursary schemes that target female students in data science, software engineering, and energy systems. -
Preparatory and Support Courses:
The university offers optional preparatory programs and academic readiness sessions for female students who aspire to enter science and technology programs but lack prior exposure or confidence in these areas.
4. Data-Driven Goals and Continuous Improvement
Atatürk University has set measurable institutional goals to strengthen gender diversity in academic programs:
| Objective | Target by 2027 | Monitoring Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Increase the share of women applicants in engineering and computing fields | ≥ 30% of total applicants | Annual gender-based admission data |
| Expand women-focused STEM scholarship pool | +15% annual growth | Scholarship database and reports |
| Implement outreach programs in regional high schools | Minimum 5 new schools per year | ATA-TDM project reports |
| Publish gender-segregated participation data | Annually | Public sustainability report |
| Conduct motivation & non-enrollment surveys | Every 2 years | Institutional research office |
5. Visibility and Transparency
All related activities, data, and success stories are published through open-access platforms:
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SDG Portal – Women Empowerment Courses: sdg.atauni.edu.tr
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Center for Social Sensitivity Projects (ATA-TDM): tdm.atauni.edu.tr
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Women’s Studies Center (ATAKAM): birimler.atauni.edu.tr
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University News – Women in Politics Panel: atauni.edu.tr
These initiatives are evidence of Atatürk University’s strong and continuous institutional effort to ensure that women are encouraged, supported, and visible in academic disciplines where they remain underrepresented.
