“‘Women Workforce Presence Workshop’ Held at Our University”

Our university explored women’s roles in the workforce, their impact on production processes, and leadership potential from multiple perspectives through the “2026 Women Workforce Presence Workshop,” organized in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8. Held on March 5, 2026, at the Vadi H Campus Conference Hall, the workshop brought together academia, industry, and students to raise the visibility of women’s labor and foster awareness of women’s positions in economic and social life.

The program was moderated by Dr. Özgenur Reyhan Güler, who guided discussions on women’s workforce participation, strengthening leadership roles, and contributions to sustainable development.

The opening speech was delivered by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Erkan İbiş. Emphasizing that women are key drivers of social development across fields from science to economy, and from education to administration, Rector İbiş highlighted the vital role universities play in promoting equal opportunities and supporting this transformation.

Presentations conducted by ÖĞREM and EPAM underlined that education and development programs within universities are essential tools for strengthening women’s participation in the workforce. Elif Vardar Solak, Director of ÖĞREM, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayfer Ustabaş, Director of EPAM, shared insights on educational activities and development programs at the university, emphasizing the academic environment’s role in women’s professional growth.

The Rise of Women: A Perspective from Academia to Industry

Student leader Beyzanur Ablak addressed the workshop with a speech titled “The Rise of Women from a Student Perspective,” noting that awareness among younger generations regarding equality, fair opportunities, and women’s leadership is steadily increasing. Ablak emphasized the importance of solidarity, consciousness, and role models in overcoming challenges faced by women in education and career journeys.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation by Melisa Tokgöz Mutlu, Board Member of the Turkish Exporters Assembly. In her talk, “From Soil to Strategy: The Role of Women,” Mutlu noted that women are increasingly present across a wide spectrum—from production processes to strategic decision-making. She stressed that women’s active participation in economic life not only reflects individual achievements but also directly influences the sustainable growth of organizations and society.

The 2026 Women Workforce Presence Workshop created a strong interactive environment among academia, industry representatives, and students, offering a productive discussion platform that examined women’s presence and leadership potential in the workforce from diverse perspectives.