Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Central Library hosted women who have achieved success through their inspiring journeys at the panel titled "Women’s Meetings in Academia, Women and Education: Inspiring Women."

The panel, organized by the OMU Women and Family Studies Research and Application Center (OMÜKAM), was held at the Seminar Hall within the Central Library.

Academicians and undergraduate/graduate students from various faculties of our university, as well as researchers, attended the panel.

Moderated by Dr. Lecturer Esra Erdoğan from the OMU Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Gerontology, the panel featured Prof. Dr. Esra Pancar Yüksel, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Hicran Karadoğan Kınık, Social Services Specialist from the Karadeniz New Horizons Association, as speakers.

Dr. Lecturer Erdoğan: “I believe this event will reinforce our belief in the power of education and will inspire us all.”

In the opening speech, Moderator Dr. Lecturer Esra Erdoğan emphasized the importance of equal opportunities in education and said:

"Today, we will deeply explore the topic of Empowering Women in Education and Professional Life and have the opportunity to discuss the valuable contributions made in academia and social services. We have two distinguished guests with us today. The first is Prof. Dr. Esra Pancar Yüksel, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, who has contributed significantly to academic success over the years. She will share her experiences in the education process and her opportunities and challenges. Additionally, we will hear from Hicran Karadoğan Kınık, Founder and President of the Karadeniz New Horizons Association, about the ‘We Are Also in Education’ project, realized with a grant from the Sabancı Foundation.

Prof. Dr. Esra Pancar Yüksel: “Perseverance is key to achieving success.”

The first speaker, Prof. Dr. Esra Pancar Yüksel, emphasized the importance of hard work for achieving success and said, "I worked very hard throughout my education. Looking back on my educational journey, I did not experience any moment when I directly felt gender inequality. I believe hard work is a key factor that opens doors in education."

“The desire to explore and apply new knowledge always drove me forward.”

Stating that her biggest motivation was her love of learning, Dean Yüksel added:

"The most important thing that always motivated me was my love for learning. Delving deeper into a field I loved, discovering new knowledge, and the desire to apply it always propelled me forward. Seeing that my work served a purpose and that I could contribute was a major driving force for me. The things I wanted to do, my dreams, and the desire to achieve them kept me on my path despite the challenges I encountered."

“My greatest sources of inspiration were my parents.”

Touching on the importance and role of family in education, Prof. Dr. Yüksel emphasized that her role models were her parents and stated:

"My mother and father were people who always believed in the power of education and instilled in me from a young age the importance of hard work and honesty. They never imposed limitations on me; on the contrary, they supported my dreams and always believed that I could achieve more. Their perseverance, values, and the confidence they instilled in me illuminated my path throughout my education. They are the greatest architects of that success if I am where I am today. So, my greatest sources of inspiration were my parents."

Addressing the young audience, Dean Yüksel said, "Never stop questioning. You grow by questioning knowledge and your environment."

Social Services Specialist Kınık: “We made lasting impacts on the lives of many girls through our project.”

The second speaker, Social Services Specialist Hicran Karadoğan Kınık, shared information about the "We Are Also in Education" project, stating:

"Through the project, we implemented with a grant from the Sabancı Foundation, we provided scholarship support to girls in the region, organized educational coaching, and conducted family awareness seminars. Our efforts contributed significantly to the continuity of girls' education and raised social awareness. We will continue our work in this field with the same determination. Through scholarships, mentoring support, and family education programs, we have made lasting impacts on the lives of many girls."

Closing remarks from Moderator Dr. Lecturer Esra Erdoğan

In her closing remarks, Moderator Dr. Lecturer Esra Erdoğan stated:

"Today, we had the opportunity to discuss both the experiences of the academic world and the empowering effects of social services on society. As the OMÜKAM, we are committed to advancing our efforts for equal education opportunities and girls' empowerment. The valuable insights Prof. Dr. Esra Pancar Yüksel shared reminded us once again how education is an effective tool for change. Moreover, Social Services Specialist Hicran Karadoğan Kınık’s presentation highlighted the critical importance of equal opportunities in education. I extend my sincere thanks to all our speakers, participants, and everyone who contributed."

After the panel, certificates of appreciation were presented to the speakers by OMÜKAM Director Prof. Dr. Mucize Ünlü.

You can access the details of the “We Are Also in Education” project through the link below:

https://www.sabancivakfi.org/tr/sosyal-degisim/egitimde-biz-de-variz