Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç hosted Sedat Simavi Industrial Vocational High School student Fevziye Nur Atalay, the winner of “I See My Future in Information and Technology” competition sponsored by Telsim and organized within the scope of the “Girls in Information and Technology (GIT) Project”, and the Principal of Sedat Simavi Industrial Vocational High School Çiğeltem Yıldırım Arifoğlu. The said competition was organized within the collaborations of EMU School of Computing and Technology (SCT) and Famagusta Women’s Center Association (MAKAMER). The said visit took place and Tuesday, 30 July 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Present during the visit were EMU Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, Prof. Dr. Sonuç Zorlu and Prof. Dr. Ali Öztüren, GIT Executive Board Member and MAKAMER Education and Environment Commission Supervisor Pelin Üretici, SCT academic staff member and GIT Executive Board Coordinator Assos. Prof. Dr. Nazife Dimililer and GIT Executive Board members Halide Sarıçizmeli and Özlem Görkan Evre.
“I Wish that You Discover the Technology of the Future”
Highlighting that EMU is dedicated to strengthening its partnerships with non-governmental organizations and, expressing pride in collaborating on joint projects with MAKAMER and similar organizations, Prof. Dr. Kılıç underscored the significance EMU places on social responsibility initiatives and confirmed that the university, through its skilled and knowledgeable units, will continue to support the advancement of the community it serves. Prof. Dr. Kılıç shared his enthusiasm for the GIT project, particularly in preparing young people for future careers and encouraging girls to enter these fields. Prof. Dr. Kılıç was pleased to welcome the first place winning student of the competition, along with their school principal. Prof. Dr. Kılıç congratulated the winning student and emphasized that EMU awarded an educational scholarship in recognition of her achievement. Moreover, Prof. Dr. Kılıç thanked everyone involved in organizing the competition, wished the student continued success, and expressed his hope that they would be at the forefront of discovering future technologies. Prof. Dr. Kılıç welcomed the student to EMU and extended his best wishes for her academic journey. In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Kılıç mentioned that 55% of EMU’s staff are women and that is a source of pride for the institution.
First place winner Fevziye Nur Atalay noted that women have faced and continue to face gender inequality in the world of technology, both in the past and in the future. Atalay said that, upon learning about the competition, she decided to take part, hoping to contribute to altering this imbalance, even if only slightly. Atalay also expressed that her friends and teachers provided support during the process and highlighted her ambition to keep progressing in the tech world and achieve more success.
“Seeing a Little Girl Smile is Worth Everything”
In her speech, Üretici mentioned that it was a proud day for MAKAMER, as they had initiated a project in partnership with EMU, utilizing their own resources. Üretici pointed out that their efforts are driven by volunteer work and noted the steady increase in their membership. Stressing the importance of achieving gender equality in every field, both internationally and domestically, in line with the sustainable development goals, Üretici highlighted that a girl’s smile justifies all the efforts and labor involved, and emphasized the crucial impact such projects have in steering girls toward future careers.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer exlained how the SCT initiated the “Girls in Computing and Technology” project by producing short awareness videos, which led to their collaboration with MAKAMER. Highlighting that this partnership has been instrumental in promoting the participation of women in technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer pointed out that events are organized worldwide annually as part of “International Girls in ICT Day”, and stressed that the lack of female representation in computing and technology is a global issue, not just a national one. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer said; “We aim for future generations to inherit a better world. Computing and technology are crucial for shaping both our present and future. We are committed to achieving equality in these fields to ensure that the solutions developed are more inclusive”. She also praised EMU’s scholarship for female students, noting its significant role in advancing the United Nations’ fifth Sustainable Development Goal, which is focused on gender equality in education and society.
Principal of Sedat Simavi Industrial and Vocational High School Çiğeltem Yıldırım Arifoğlu emphasized the importance of students actively participating in the short-term projects and, underlined that students being the creator of their own projects as well as experiencing the results of these projects is motivating. Expressing that herself is also an EMU alumni, Arifoğlu highlighted that her success in her professional life, her principles, and her problem-solving skills are a result of the education she received at EMU.
EMU Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Zorlu also delivered a speech, reminded that achieving goals depends on intellectual capability, although physical strength can also be important and, stressed that intellect is the most crucial factor. Prof. Dr. Zorlu also conveyed her belief that women should be represented in every field and congratulated the student who secured first place in the competition.
At the end of the visit, Prof. Dr. Kılıç presented the winning student, principal and, officials from the GIT and MAKAMER souvenirs unique to EMU. Principal Arifoğlu presented Prof. Dr. Kılıç a present hand-made by the students of Sedat Simavi Industrial and Vocational High School.