5.3.4 Women's application in underrepresented subjects
One of the goals of Boğaziçi University's gender equality plan is to equalise the representation of women both in administrative positions at the university and in research teams. At Boğaziçi University, various programmes and events are held to raise awareness in areas where women are underrepresented and to encourage female students to pursue careers in these fields through local and global collaborations.
Boğaziçi University Academics to Develop School-Based Intervention Model to Increase Female Students' Interest in STEM Fields
The ‘Removing Barriers in Digital and STEM (D-STEK)’ project, initiated by three academics from the Faculty of Education at Boğaziçi University, aims to increase the interest of female high school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and digital technology fields. Supported by the TÜBİTAK 1001 programme, this national project targets both students and their teachers and families.
Focusing on Gender Inequality in STEM:
- In Turkey and many other countries, girls' interest in STEM fields is lower than that of boys.
- This difference is believed to stem from academic beliefs and socio-cultural factors.
- Female students' perception of their competence in mathematics and science and their perception of these fields as important are decisive factors in their pursuit of STEM careers.
School-Based Intervention Model:
- The main goal of the project is to increase girls' interest in STEM and digital fields, as well as their self-efficacy and attitudes.
- It also aims to improve the digital literacy of students, teachers, and families and reduce negative stereotypes about STEM fields.
- Workshops, seminars, and meetings will be organised to explore girls' perspectives on STEM fields in depth.
Teacher and Family Participation:
- Professional development seminars will be provided to teachers to raise awareness about the relationship between gender and career choice.
- Programmes for families will provide information on technology use, digital risks, and gender roles in society.
Project Implementation and Expected Impacts
- During the project, one-on-one communication will be established with female students in the 9th and 11th grades at the selected school.
- Workshops and activities will address questions and prejudices regarding STEM fields.
- The intervention model developed will be made scalable for schools and, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, will be implemented nationwide.
- The project aims to understand and remove the barriers that prevent female students from choosing careers in STEM fields.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gamze İnan:
“In Turkey and many other countries, female students lag behind in STEM fields. We see that these differences are related to students' academic beliefs and socio-cultural factors. In our project, we aim to increase girls' orientation towards STEM and digital fields by removing these barriers.”
The project is seen as an important step toward enabling female students to make more informed choices in STEM fields. Additionally, awareness-raising initiatives targeting educators and families aim to create a lasting impact by involving all stakeholders in this process.
Women's Leadership and Inspiring Role Models in STEM
Enhancing Women’s Visibility and Challenging Gender Bias in Competition Law
Boğaziçi University’s Faculty of Law hosted the “Competition Law Summit”, organised by W@CompetitionTR—the Turkish chapter of the global WomenAt (W@) platform—on 6 March 2026. With a mission to increase the visibility of women professionals and challenge bias against women experts, the conference brought students together with experienced specialists working on current issues in competition law and policy. The active participation of Boğaziçi University students created a valuable space for interaction between academic knowledge and professional practice.
The event featured distinguished women leaders and decision-makers as speakers and moderators, including Gülçin Dere, Board Member of W@CompetitionTR; Buket Arı Aydın, Department Head at the Turkish Competition Authority; Sabine Zigelski, Senior Competition Expert at the OECD; and Cristina Volpin, Competition Policy Expert at the OECD. Their leadership and expertise informed discussions on issues shaping the future of the field, including the regulation of data-driven markets, competition policy and sustainability, and competition in artificial intelligence markets, thereby increasing the visibility of women professionals in competition law and regulatory policy.
Direct engagement with experienced women professionals from different institutions provided students with strong role models and demonstrated women’s presence in specialist and decision-making positions. This visibility can inspire women students to pursue educational and professional pathways in competition law, regulatory policy and related fields. The event therefore makes a complementary contribution to efforts to strengthen women’s representation, challenge bias against women professionals and encourage women’s participation in specialised fields of law.
The full news article is available here.
Pioneering Biotech Innovation: Prof. Rana Sanyal Leads Historic Drug Discovery to Clinical Stage
Prof. Dr. Rana Sanyal—Professor of Chemistry at Boğaziçi University and recipient of the EIC European Prize for Women Innovators—co-founded RS Research with Sena Nomak to translate basic scientific research into innovative pharmaceutical solutions. Drawing on research initiated at Boğaziçi University’s Center for Life Sciences and Technologies (LifeSci) and subsequently advanced through the Center for Targeted Treatment Technologies (HTTM) and the Boğaziçi Technopark ecosystem, the company developed RS-0139, Türkiye’s first original drug candidate, as a smart nanomedicine for targeted chemotherapy. The drug’s Phase 1 clinical trials were successfully completed in 2026, advancing it from basic laboratory discovery to clinical-stage development and marking a historic breakthrough in university–industry research translation.
- Historic Drug Innovation Milestone: RS-0139 stands as the country's first home-grown candidate drug to successfully complete human Phase 1 trials, thereby validating Boğaziçi University’s research infrastructure and technology transfer capabilities.
- Female Academic Entrepreneurship: Led by female scientist-entrepreneurs, the initiative demonstrates how cutting-edge academic chemistry can be commercialised into world-class pharmaceutical solutions that address critical human health needs.
Pioneering the country's most significant pharmaceutical breakthrough under the leadership of an internationally acclaimed female scientist is an extraordinary inspiration to prospective female students and researchers. Prof. Dr. Rana Sanyal’s success challenges gender stereotypes in deep-tech entrepreneurship, actively encouraging women to enter, excel, and lead in historically underrepresented STEM disciplines, including Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The full news article is available here.
Women Leadership in Biomedical Research: Assoc. Prof. Banu İyisan Honoured with L’Oréal-UNESCO Award
Assoc. Prof. Banu İyisan, a faculty member at Boğaziçi University’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering, was among the four women scientists honoured in 2025 under the “For Women in Science” programme, conducted by L’Oréal Türkiye in collaboration with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO. Assoc. Prof. İyisan and her team are developing smart nanomedicine systems made entirely from natural biomaterials, as well as targeted and personalised treatment approaches for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer, a disease of particular significance to women’s health.
This prestigious national programme, run in partnership between L’Oréal and UNESCO, enhances visibility and recognises the achievements of women scientists working in advanced disciplines where women have traditionally been underrepresented, including biomedical engineering, biotechnology and pharmaceutical technologies. Assoc. Prof. Banu İyisan’s academic leadership and innovative research into breast cancer treatment make her a powerful role model, inspiring young women students to pursue master’s and doctoral studies in STEM fields and to choose careers in science.
The full news article is available here.
Inspiring Female Student Entrepreneurship: Gizem Uysal Wins Global Cleantech Award in Vienna
Helios, the deep-technology start-up founded by Boğaziçi University Biomedical Engineering PhD student Gizem Uysal, was named the global winner at Cleantech Days 2026, held under the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Competing against climate technology ventures from around the world at the global final in Vienna, Uysal received the “GCIP Global 1st Place – Overall Winner” award.
Operating from laboratories at Boğaziçi University’s Kandilli Deep Technology Hub, Helios develops metal–organic framework (MOF)-based technology to capture carbon dioxide from the flue gases of hard-to-abate industries such as cement, steel and aluminium. The start-up currently exports its technology to seven countries. By commercialising her doctoral research and transforming it into a globally active venture, Gizem Uysal provides a powerful example of the intersection between academic research, engineering, climate technology and women’s entrepreneurship.
The global recognition of an advanced materials and climate technology solution developed by a woman doctoral researcher strengthens women’s visibility in STEM and deep-technology entrepreneurship. Uysal’s achievement provides prospective and current women students with a strong role model, demonstrating the educational and professional pathways available in engineering, environmental technology and science-based entrepreneurship. Highlighting achievements of this kind can inspire more women to pursue STEM fields and aspire to leadership roles within them.
The full news article is available here.
Boğaziçi University Women Leading in Science and Technology Summit 2023
The Leading Women in Science and Technology Summit, organised by Boğaziçi University Electrotechnology Club (BUEC), brings together leading successful women from the sectors and academia with university students. The event aims to inspire and give hope to the participants by focusing on topics such as the change in the number of female employees in the sector and the careers of the speakers in different directions. Read More
BÜYEM Women Leaders to Shape Health Development Programme
Women Leaders in Health Programme gave its second graduates
The Women Leaders to Shape Health Development Programme, implemented by Boğaziçi University Lifelong Learning Centre (BÜYEM) with the support of Professional Women's Network (PWN Istanbul), United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN Turkey) and Awen for Us to support the development of women in the health sector, gave its second graduates.
On 8 April 2023, 25 programme participants received their certificates after the presentation of their graduation projects at a ceremony held at Boğaziçi University. In 2022, the programme gave its first graduates and the new phase of the programme will start in the autumn semester of 2023.
"WOMEN LEADERS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Dr. Tamer Atabarut, Director of BÜYEM and UN SDSN Turkey Board Member, emphasised the importance that Boğaziçi University, celebrating its 160th anniversary, attaches to the development of women leaders. Dr. Atabarut stated that Boğaziçi University is a part of the sector with its Biomedical Engineering Institute, which provides postgraduate services in the field of health, neuroscience projects and incubation centres that support projects in the field of health, and that the contribution to the sector is very valuable in this respect. Prof. Dr. Atabarut said, "Healthy living and gender equality are two of the goals of the UN Sustainable Development Programme. We are happy to be serving these two goals jointly with this programme. In addition, it is impossible not to see the change created by women, including the women leaders who support and participate in this programme. During the pandemic, we have witnessed the success of countries led by women leaders such as Finland and New Zealand. I would like to thank all stakeholders and our new graduate leaders."
"GROWING THE CIRCLE OF GOODNESS IS MORE IMPORTANT TODAY THAN EVER"
Aylin Olsun, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PWN Istanbul, said that the 25 graduating leaders will be natural members of PWN for one year. Olsun said, "Women's leadership in the field of health is critical for a healthy society with a high rate of development. Not only in Turkey but all over the world, the rate of women leaders in the health sector remains below 20 per cent. It is very valuable to be a part of the most important step taken to change this. I hope that the circle we have grown with the second graduates of the programme will become a great circle of goodness. We will continue to take part in healing all the wounds of the society related to health, especially the wounds of the disaster that our country is going through, with the circle of goodness we have created with all our strength and connections. We need cooperation and a strong network today more than ever."
"WE ARE PROUD TO TAKE A PERMANENT STEP"
PWN Istanbul Advisory Board Member and Takeda UK-Ireland General Manager Şeyda Atadan Memiş thanked all stakeholders and lecturers who supported the programme with great dedication and enthusiasm and congratulated the newly graduated women leaders. Atadan Memiş said, "We came together for a great and beautiful purpose. We proved once again what women can do by revealing their networks. Because in my opinion, there is one thing that women do less than men, and that is not being able to use their network power. The value added to the programme by our 35 leaders in senior management roles in the health sector as mentors is really important. It was very difficult for us to reach a general manager in our career journey, but they took part in this programme as mentors with all their energy and passion. We would like to thank each of them individually. We are happy to take a permanent step with our project." Read More
The aim of the "Women Leaders to Shape Health" development programme is to equip female employees in the health industry with the leadership skills of the day, the notion of corporate sustainability and governance, and a visionary perspective. They will have the opportunity to strengthen their self-awareness and leadership identities through inspiring speeches and workshops within the programme, while at the same time, they will gain courage for an inspiring journey of positive change for themselves and those around them with the network they will create. They will work on a project to reinforce their achievements in the programme and will continue their development journey by coming together physically/virtually at least once a month with their mentors who will be assigned to them. The programme has been prepared with the contributions of SDSN Turkey, PWN Istanbul and Awen for Us experts as well as Boğaziçi University's academic staff and is supported by online courses, guest speakers, mentoring and networking activities.
Related Links:
Boğaziçi University Gender Equality Plan 2023:
BÜYEM Women Leaders to Shape Health Development Programme 2023:
https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/mezun/3/sagliga-yon-verecek-kadin-liderler-programi-i/2686
Leading Women in Science and Technology Summit:
https://buec.com.tr/bilim-ve-teknolojide-lider-kadinlar-zirvesi/
BÜYEM Gender Equality Trainings:
https://kss.bogazici.edu.tr/?project=toplumsal-cinsiyet-esitligi
Boğaziçi University Social Policy Forum Application and Research Centre:
https://spf.bogazici.edu.tr/tr
https://spf.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/projects
https://arastirma.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/sosyal-politika-forumu-uygulama-ve-arastirma-merkezi2004
2024 Sustainability Report SDG-5 (Related Section)
Women's applications in under-represented areas
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One of the goals of Boğaziçi University's gender equality plan is to equalise the representation of women in both administrative positions and research teams at the university. At Boğaziçi University, various programmes and events are organised in collaboration with local and global partners to raise awareness in areas where women are underrepresented and to encourage female students to pursue careers in these fields.
Gender Equality Plan 2023:
Boğaziçi University Women Leading in Science and Technology Summit
Organised traditionally every year by Boğaziçi University Electrotechnology Club (BUEC), the Leading Women in Science and Technology Summit brings together leading successful women from the sectors and academia with university students. The event aims to inspire and give hope to the participants by focusing on topics such as the change in the number of female employees in the sector and the careers of the speakers in different directions.
https://buec.com.tr/bilim-ve-teknolojide-lider-kadinlar-zirvesi/
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Turkey's Engineer Girls Project
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The ‘Turkey's Engineer Girls’ Project, carried out in cooperation with BÜYEM and Limak Foundation, aims to raise successful female students studying at engineering faculties who need support as well-equipped engineers for our country. Within the scope of the project, in addition to scholarship support, internship opportunities, BÜYEM social engineering trainings and mentoring support are provided. The programme is open to female students studying in the departments of computer engineering, environmental engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, industrial engineering, civil engineering and mechanical engineering at different universities in Turkey, and Boğaziçi University is among the universities where quotas have been opened for the 2022-2023 academic year. Within the scope of the project, activities are also organised in various provinces in order to inform and raise awareness of high school students who will make their career choice, to provide general information about the profession and to enable them to experience the engineering profession through various methods.
https://kss.bogazici.edu.tr/wp-content/uploads/wp-buyem-kss-brosur-1.pdf
https://www.turkiyeninmuhendiskizlari.com/
