The “Training of Trainers” programme for members of the Association for Supporting Women Entrepreneurs (GİKAD) was held with the aim of building a bridge to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, within the scope of the Silk Road Gaziantep “Digital Design and Application” Social Entrepreneurship Centre (HKU Design) Project under the Faculty of Communication, in collaboration with the Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) Women and Family Application and Research Centre (KADMER).
The programme, held at the HKU Cine Amphitheatre, was attended by HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, Director of the HKU Women and Family Studies Application and Research Centre (KADMER) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Özgüner, GİKAD President Ufuk Ekinci, GİKAD members, academics and students.
Emphasising the importance of this collaboration supporting women’s entrepreneurship, HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan said in her opening speech: “The training programme we launch today is in fact the first step of a long-term process. Our programme will continue in both hybrid and face-to-face formats and will reach all GİKAD members. As Hasan Kalyoncu University, we are very proud to always stand by women on their entrepreneurship journey. I thank everyone who contributed to this meaningful work of KADMER and the HKU Design team.”
Drawing attention to the power of women’s solidarity, GİKAD President Ufuk Ekinci said: “In this project, we all set out with a common goal: to touch the life of a woman, of a child. Each of us set our own work aside and sought an answer to the question ‘How can we be of more benefit?’ It was a challenging but equally enjoyable process. I am very happy to be here today and to be part of this solidarity. I sincerely thank all our stakeholders.”
The training programme for GİKAD members, aimed at strengthening knowledge sharing, collaboration and solidarity within the ecosystem for trainers who wish to make an impact in the field of social entrepreneurship, was delivered through both face-to-face and online sessions. By offering new perspectives on topics such as social entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and style and image, the programme helped participants develop effective mentoring skills in entrepreneurship and build a stronger network of influence within the social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
