Women’s Workforce Participation Workshop Successfully Held: Experts Met with Students**

Women’s Workforce Participation Workshop Successfully Held: Experts Met with Students

Within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 2237-A Scientific Education Events Support Program, Istinye University hosted another important event aimed at increasing women’s participation in the workforce with the 2025 Women’s Workforce Participation Workshop. Organized in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (ÖĞREM) and the Center for Economic and Political Research (EPAM), the workshop was designed in alignment with the goals of the 12th Development Plan. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayfer Ustabaş from Istinye University served as the EPAM project coordinator, while Elif Vardar Solak, Director of ÖĞREM, contributed as a project researcher.

During the workshop, accomplished female professionals from the fields of medicine, tourism, and agriculture met with university students, sharing their knowledge and experiences to help broaden students’ professional perspectives.

Highlighting Gender Equality

In line with its mission to contribute to social development, Istinye University created a platform through this event to address local and global issues. Following the workshop held in 2024, the 2025 edition once again reaffirmed the university's support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Distinguished Guests Attracted Great Interest

Key speakers included Op. Dr. Dilek Uslu from the medical field, Günnur Diker—co-founder of Eurasia Tourism under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Namibia in Istanbul—from the tourism sector, and Ebru Baybara Demir from the agriculture and gastronomy field. Demir is a Global Food Hero recognized by UNFAO, winner of the Basque Culinary World Prize 2023, and a Yale 2025 Global Table Fellow.

Female Experts Share Sectoral Experience

The workshop brought together successful women professionals, directors of university research centers, faculty members, and student club presidents. Following their presentations, an interactive Q&A session was held with students, aiming to promote the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and strategies.

Discussion on Glass Ceilings and Strategic Challenges

The event addressed critical questions such as “Why is women’s workforce participation still low in certain sectors?” and “What strategies do leading female executives use to overcome the glass ceiling?” Strategies to foster modern approaches and inclusivity in various sectors were also discussed.

A Roadmap for the Young Workforce

Recognizing that increasing female workforce participation depends on youth awareness, the workshop included SWOT analyses (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) of the current state of various sectors. Strategic recommendations were shared based on real-world data from Turkey and globally.

The workshop was also incorporated into the university’s "21st Century Competencies Course: Manifesto 2 – Career Journey" offered to students before graduation, thereby enhancing industry engagement and practical learning opportunities.

This impactful event, which aimed to promote female employment and inspire students through real-life experiences, stands out as one of Istinye University’s key contributions to society. The university emphasized its commitment to continue leading similar events in support of sustainable development goals and women's empowerment in the workforce.