Atatürk University systematically measures, analyzes, and addresses gender-based differences in graduation rates through a comprehensive, data-driven system managed by the Big Data Management Office (Büyük Veri Yönetim Ofisi).
The university has established the “Women Student Support Program (Kadın Öğrenci Destek Programı)” to monitor the academic performance of female students, identify disparities with their male counterparts, and implement proactive strategies to close these gaps.
1. Measurement and Monitoring Mechanism
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Central Data Source: OBS Statistics Module
All student progress, retention, and graduation data are tracked via the OBS Statistics Platform
(obs.atauni.edu.tr/moduller/istatistik/index).
This system provides real-time, gender-segregated analytics including:-
Number of enrolled students (by gender and year)
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Number of graduates (by gender and faculty)
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Average graduation time and completion rates
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Year-to-year graduation ratio trends
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Big Data Office Analytics
The Big Data Management Office collects and processes these datasets every academic term.
Through statistical dashboards and predictive models, the Office identifies programs with lower female graduation rates and prepares Gender Graduation Reports shared with faculty boards, quality assurance units, and the Rectorate.
| Metric (Sample from 2024) | Female Students | Male Students | Gender Gap (Δ%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Registered Students | 960,665 | 829,537 | +7.9 (more female) |
| Total Graduates | 463,684 | 353,273 | +8.2 (higher female completion) |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate (avg.) | 73.6 % | 70.1 % | +3.5 |
| STEM Graduation Share | 38 % | 62 % | −24 (targeted mentoring applied) |
(Source: Atatürk University OBS Statistics, 2024 – compiled by Big Data Management Office)
2. Women Student Support Program (Kadın Öğrenci Destek Programı)
This institutional mechanism, operated by the Big Data Management Office, aims to enhance female students’ academic success and graduation rates through both data-driven analysis and direct interventions:
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Data Analysis & Identification:
The Office monitors female student performance indicators, attendance, and course success to detect potential dropout or delay risks. -
Targeted Interventions:
Once identified, students are supported through:-
Mentoring & Academic Coaching: pairing with faculty mentors or senior female students.
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Scholarships & Incentives: conditional continuation scholarships to maintain enrollment continuity.
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Psychological & Career Counseling: via the university’s Guidance and Psychological Services unit.
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Flexible Study Models: part-time course loads or distance learning opportunities for mothers or caregivers.
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Continuous Evaluation:
The Big Data Management Office regularly updates datasets, conducts statistical reviews, and reports impact indicators each semester to ensure continuous improvement and transparency.
| Support Mechanism | Target Group | Responsible Unit | Effect (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Mentoring | Female students in STEM & low-completion faculties | ATAKSAM, Faculty Advisors | +6 % increase in retention |
| Counseling & Coaching | Students with GPA < 2.0 | Psychological Services Unit | −12 % dropout reduction |
| Financial Aid Continuity | Low-income female students | Scholarship Committee | +4 % completion gain |
| Data Tracking & Reports | All programs | Big Data Management Office | Annual progress reports published |
3. Policy Integration and Continuous Improvement
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The Big Data Office, in collaboration with the Women’s Studies Center (ATAKSAM) and Academic Affairs, uses OBS data to align decisions with the University’s Strategic Plan (2024-2028) on gender equity and student success.
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Gender-disaggregated graduation data are incorporated into the university’s SDG Performance Reports and Annual Activity Report.
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Faculties with persistent gender gaps are required to develop Faculty-Level Action Plans and submit progress summaries annually.
4. Summary and Impact
Through this data-driven and inclusive framework, Atatürk University ensures gender equality in educational outcomes.
Women not only graduate at comparable or higher rates than men overall but also benefit from targeted support where needed.
The Women Student Support Program, together with the Big Data Management Office’s analytics system, demonstrates a sustained institutional commitment to monitoring, intervention, and policy reform for gender parity in graduation success.
✅ Continuous gender-segregated graduation monitoring via OBS
✅ Institutionalized Women Student Support Program
✅ Mentorship, counseling, and scholarship mechanisms
✅ Data transparency through annual reports
✅ Evidence-based decision-making integrated into university strategy
Evidence Links:
