The “4th Inspiring Women Gathering”, organised by the Women and Family Application and Research Centre (KADMER) at Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU), was held in recognition of 8 March International Women’s Day. The event focused on the success stories of entrepreneurial women in the business world.
The programme was attended by HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, KADMER Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Özgüner, academic staff and students. Invited speakers included Ufuk Ekinci, Chair of the Board of the Association for Supporting Women Entrepreneurs (GİKAD); Eda Coşan, Financial Advisor and Board Member of Coşan Yapı; and Nihal Sabak, General Coordinator of the Women Entrepreneurship Support Centre.
Delivering the opening speech and congratulating women across the world on International Women’s Day, HKU Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan said: “As Hasan Kalyoncu University, we place great importance on initiatives that support women’s stronger participation in education, academia and entrepreneurship. Through the activities carried out by KADMER, we continue to contribute both to raising social awareness and to empowering women. In addition, in line with our university’s vision of social contribution and entrepreneurship, we have launched the first phase of the ‘Entrepreneurship Training Programme for Women’, organised for members of the Association for Supporting Women Entrepreneurs within the scope of the Silk Road Gaziantep ‘Digital Design and Application’ Social Entrepreneurship Centre Project, which operates under our Faculty of Communication in cooperation with KADMER. With this programme, we aim to strengthen the knowledge and skills of women entrepreneurs and support them in building stronger connections with the entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
KADMER Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Özgüner stated:
“Today we celebrate not merely a date on the calendar, but the courageous hearts who write their own stories, the hands that soften the world with compassion, and the minds that illuminate tomorrow with their ideas. Happy Women’s Day to all women who draw strength from the light within them, set no limits to their dreams, and manage to bloom in every season.”
Following the opening speeches, a session moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Özgüner was held. Within the framework of the theme “Recycling”, the speakers discussed what could be achieved in Gaziantep in terms of zero waste and recycling. They also shared their experiences regarding the challenges they have faced as women in society, the ways they overcame these obstacles, their determination, and their career journeys, offering inspiring stories of success.
At the end of the programme, handmade gifts were presented to the participants as a token of appreciation to commemorate the day.
