The Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) Women and Family Application and Research Centre (KADMER) organised the “2nd Inspiring Women Meeting”, which presented the business success stories of women entrepreneurs, on the occasion of 8 March International Women’s Day.
The programme, held at the HKU Law Amphitheatre, began with the screening of the video “Kadın Demek” prepared by the Presidential Communications Directorate and the digital exhibition “Women Who Have Left Their Mark from Past to Present”, prepared under the coordination of Asst. Prof. Dr. Batu Duru, Head of the Digital Game Design Department at the Faculty of Communication.
The programme was attended by HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, KADMER Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Özgüner, Asst. Prof. Dr. Atiye Güner of the Visual Communication Design Department at the Faculty of Communication, and students, along with the invited speakers: Prof. Dr. Kezban Bayramlar, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; Prof. Dr. Feyza Doyran, Head of the English Language Teaching Department at the Faculty of Education; Yelda Kına, Unit Manager at the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Art and Vocational Training Courses (GASMEK); and businesswoman and entrepreneur Ebru Öcal.
Speaking at the opening of the programme and beginning his remarks by congratulating women all over the world on their day, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said: “Throughout human history, our women, who are the fundamental building blocks of societies, have been the pillar of family life, the bearers of education and culture, and the pioneers of science and art. The greater presence of women in education, science and art is an important step for the development and progress of our society. As Hasan Kalyoncu University, we believe in the universal values of science, access to knowledge and education, and we work with all our strength to further strengthen the roles of women in society by ensuring that more women take part in science and art. We carry out programmes to empower women in academic and scientific fields, and we conduct awareness activities through the work of our Women and Family Application and Research Centre. With these feelings and thoughts, I wish a happy 8 March International Women’s Day to all our women, who carry on the legacy of our heroines who have written their names in golden letters throughout history and stood out with their achievements in every field, and who continue to move forward with the same determination today.”
KADMER Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Özgüner, for her part, stated that women are the element that guides, informs and protects society most effectively, and said that 8 March is an opportunity to remind us of this responsibility once again.
Following the opening speeches, in the panel titled “Career Stories from Successful Women”, moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Atiye Güner of the Visual Communication Design Department at the Faculty of Communication, the speakers described their paths to success by sharing the difficulties they had faced as women in society, how they had overcome them, their determination, and their experiences of their own career journeys.
As part of the 8 March Women’s Day Programme, special refreshments prepared by the HKU Faculty of Tourism, Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts were served to the participants. The programme also included a mini concert by the HKU Music Student Society, a film screening by the HKU Media Student Society, and jewellery design, calligraphy, weaving and leatherwork workshops led by trainers from GASMEK. At the end of the programme, lapel pins and key rings were presented to the participants in memory of the day.
