With the cooperation of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) School of Computing and Technology (SCT) and Famagusta Women’s Development Center (MAKAMER), the sponsorship of TRNC Telsim and within the scope of the “Girls in Information and Technology (BITEK) Project”, a seminar for high school girls with the theme of “I See My Future in Informatics” was held.
The seminar took place on Thursday, 27 April 2023 at 09:30 at Activity Center. Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar, TRNC Minister of Labour and Social Security Hasan Taçoy, CTP Member of the Parliament Şifa Çolakoğlu, Famagusta Mayor Dr. Süleyman Uluçay, EMU Board of Trustees President Dr. Erdal Özcenk, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, EMU Board of Trustees member Anıl Kaya, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Hasan Demirel, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Aktuğlu and Prof. Dr. Deniz İşçioğlu, Director of the Department of Culture Şirin Zaimağaoğlu, TRNC Telsim Assistant General Manager Fevzi Tanpınar and Telsim officials, MAKAMER Executive Board Director Sıdıka Özdoğan and MAKAMER officials, deans, department heads, academic personnel members and many high school students attended the said event.
“We Will Continue our Work for the Next Generation to Move Forward”
The event organized in memory of the Champion Angels commenced with a minute of Silence and national anthem followed by the opening speeches. Stating that they started the year 2023 by experiencing many pains, EMU SCT academic staff member and BİTEK Executive Board member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazife Dimililer emphasized that the new generations should advance in the light of science without sacrificing ethics and conscience, giving importance to equality and diversity in order not to repeat the pain experienced. Expressing that he Champion Angels are not to be forgotten, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the event. Addressing the students, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer stated that technology is advancing at an ever-increasing pace emphasized that those who master information and technology will shape the future. Underlining the need to ensure gender equality in all fields for a more egalitarian and inclusive world, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer emphasized that they will continue to work for the new generation to move forward. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimililer called out to the students and said, “Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, never choose easy and dictated to you, professions have no gender”.
MAKAMER Education Supervisor and BITEK Executive Board Member Pelin Üretici welcomed everyone and emphasized that the production, sharing and transformation of knowledge into a product is accelerating day by day. Üretici emphasized that there is a promise of a more scientific, safe, just and more humane world to all children who passed away and that should have been among us today. Talking on the aim of the BITEK Project, Üretici said that they aim to be a guide for girls. Expressing that the age of digital transformation needs to be shaped by the thoughts and experiences of women, Üretici thanked those who contributed to the realization of the event.
Also delivering a speech during the event, TRNC Telsim Assistant General Manager Fevzi Tanpınar stated that women are extremely important for a society, emphasizing that development, democracy and bright days in that country cannot be talked about when gender equality is not healthy in societies. Stating that it is among their duties to ensure the participation of girls in the informatics and technology sector, which is one of the important sectors of the near future, Tanpınar thanked everyone who participated in the event.
“Important for Girls to Have Professions in the Field of Information and Technology”
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın also addressed the issue and said that it is extremely important for girls to have a profession in the field of information and technology, develop themselves, do research and take part in managerial positions. Prof. Dr. Hocanın stated that the female manager, who could be an important role model in the seminar, could be followed by the students and be a score of inspiration. Noting that EMU is in a very good position in terms of gender equality, Prof. Dr. Hocanın stated that the elected female deans and department heads constitute half of the senate. Expressing that as EMU, they are to continue supporting such events, Prof. Dr. Hocanın added that he believes that when given the opportunity, female students can bring their talents to the fore.
On the other hand, TRNC Minister of Labour and Social Security Hasan Taçoy thanked EMU for the contributions EMU is to offer in women’s development and shared his opinions on artificial intelligence. Stating that artificial intelligence emerged with human hands, Taçoy emphasized that it emerged with the aim of learning that it should not be feared.
“EMU is the Center of Science, Wisdom and Technology”
TRNC President Ersin Tatar stated that EMU is the center of science, wisdom and technology and, emphasized that EMU has represented our country all over the world since its establishment. Commencing his words by commemorating the Champion Angels, Tatar said that they will always live in our hearts. Stating that women have always been valued in the TRNC, Tatar emphasized that they attach importance to gender equality everywhere and will continue to do so. Touching on the importance of women’s orientation to professions in artificial intelligence and software studies, Tatar touched on how important technology, software and artificial intelligence are in the digitalizing world with the pandemic. Expressing that women should take part in this struggle at least as much as men in order for countries to keep up with all developments, President Tatar mentioned that it is extremely important for women to take part in the artificial intelligence and technology sector in the TRNC. Conveying that he thinks EMU will be in a very important position for the country in the future as the most important locomotive university of this country, President Ersin Tatar stated that EMU is a science and technology center.
Following the opening speeches, Vodafone Türkiye Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Unit Manager Şeniz Gayde Ayata delivered a presentation titled “The Journey of a Female Cypriot Engineer to Artificial Intelligence Leadership: Şeniz Gayde Ayata”. Girls from grades 10-11-12 attended the event from high schools across the country. At the end of the seminar, Famagusta Municipality presented Geranium saplings to all the participants. Five students who successfully answered Ayata’s questions were gifted Mi Band 7 smart bands by Ayata. SCT Director Assist. Prof. Dr. Ece Çelik presented Ayata and Telsim officials plaques of appreciation. MAKAMER Director Özdoğan also presented a gift unique to their association.
