Sakarya University (SAU) demonstrates a strong and consistent institutional commitment to encouraging women’s applications in under-represented academic and professional fields, combining policy, research, mentorship, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. The Sakarya University Women’s Studies Application and Research Center (SAÜKAM) identifies disciplines where women are a minority and works to increase women’s orientation and participation in these areas. These efforts are complemented by national measures such as the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) special quota for women aged 34 and over, which has been in effect since 2023. In this context, SAU reserved such quotas for women in its 2024 Higher Education Institutions (YKS) preferences, ensuring fair access to higher education for women returning to study. Quantitative baselines reinforce this commitment: women constitute 55% of SAU’s undergraduate cohort—above Türkiye’s national average—providing evidence of equitable access and countering narratives of gender-based exclusion. Women’s representation among SAU staff likewise exceeds national averages, signalling progress across the academic pipeline.
Within its Sustainability Framework, SAU’s “Women’s Access Schemes” and “Applications for Encouraging Women” pages outline both institutional and collaborative mechanisms. SAÜKAM leads identification of minority areas, while Technocity and its Incubation Center provide entrepreneurship training and start-up support, establishing a clear pipeline from study choice to innovation and employment. SAU’s “Student Access Measures” and “Student Access Policies” further document equitable access principles and integration of national quotas.
Concrete practice in 2024 included the Women in Business Micro-Credential Programme (Women Academy), jointly implemented by TOKAS (Social Contribution and Sustainability Office) and hosted at Sakarya Technocity’s Incubation Center. The free, women-only programme ran modules on 4–5 May and 11–12 May 2024, followed by a Project & Interview Simulation Workshop (15 May). It adopted a mentor-supported format, included published participation criteria (GPA ≥ 2.0; women-only), and issued certificates and digital badges. These activities prepared women students for leadership in male-dominated labour market sectors, particularly management and technology.
Beyond campus, SAU units promoted external and national opportunities designed to attract women to under-represented STEM and AI domains. In collaboration with Turkish industry and civic partners, several SAU faculties — including Business Administration (ISLF), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), and the Geography Department — amplified the “Geleceği Yazan Kadınlar – Artificial Intelligence” call (application deadline 9 December 2024). The Geography Department announcement explicitly referenced cooperation with the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SATSO), showing active community and industry partnership. Likewise, SAU’s ARDEK Directorate disseminated information on the British Council Women in STEM Scholarships (2024–25), connecting women students to international funding and mobility opportunities.
The Career Center’s 2024 Hub highlighted complementary programming — such as “Women Leaders in Management” — supporting aspiration building and confidence among women entering under-represented professional domains.
Together, these policies and practices demonstrate an integrated “policy-to-practice” approach by Sakarya University: combining institutional frameworks, mentoring and incubation partnerships, national and international scholarship promotion, and outreach campaigns to systematically encourage women’s applications and advancement in fields where they remain under-represented.
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