An event organized by the Near East University Sustainability Office for students of Değirmenlik High School aimed to empower girls in the fields of science and technology and to raise their career awareness.
The “Girls Shaping the Future” event, organized by the Near East University Sustainability Office for 10th-year girls from Değirmenlik High School, was held with the aim of empowering girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and raising their career awareness. The event, conducted in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals centering on gender equality, turned into an inspiring gathering for young girls.
The program, organized within the scope of periodically conducted mentoring trainings, featured speakers including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Arıkan Sarıoğlu from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at Near East University, Prof. Dr. Beyza Ulusoy from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Tahire Darbaz, a member of the Board of Directors of the Veterinary Surgeons Association.
The training, which continued interactively in a question-and-answer format, allowed students to ask academics about their curiosity regarding career paths in STEM fields. The event, completed in an informative and motivating atmosphere, was considered a powerful awareness campaign supporting the increased visibility of girls in science and technology fields.
Inspiring experience sharing from academics…
Assoc. Prof. Ayşe Arıkan Sarıoğlu, who provided students with comprehensive information about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, drew attention to the importance of gender equality in processes ranging from education to career choices. Emphasizing that girls’ access to equal opportunities is critical for both individual development and societal progress, Assoc. Prof. Sarıoğlu shared the steps that need to be taken in this direction with the students.
Prof. Dr. Beyza Ulusoy, using a mentoring approach, addressed the importance of girls continuing their education and pursuing careers for social equality. Stating that veterinary medicine is not limited to animal examination alone, Prof. Dr. Ulusoy drew attention to many different areas of specialization such as food safety, hygiene, pharmacology, and microbiology. Sharing examples from her own career journey, Prof. Dr. Ulusoy offered a strong role model to the students.
Assistant. Prof. Dr. Tahire Darbaz also shared that she successfully pursued the veterinary medicine profession in challenging field conditions, especially working with cattle, emphasizing that women can be resolute in every field. Stating that an individual’s interests and desires should be the determining factor in career choice, Assist. Prof. Dr. Darbaz gave important messages to the female students, encouraging them to be confident and courageous individuals.