The Near East University Sustainability Office organizes regular annual STEM education programs designed to encourage female students to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programs are conducted in collaboration with Near East Enterprises schools and local public schools, and are offered free of charge. The sessions are led by experienced female academics specializing in various STEM disciplines.
In addition, mentors from Near East University provide personalized guidance to female candidates during the university selection period, offering detailed information about academic departments—particularly in STEM fields—and explaining the opportunities and career pathways available to graduates.
Through these initiatives, the Near East University Sustainability Office aims to empower young women to make informed choices about their academic futures and to inspire them to pursue successful careers in STEM fields, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable society.
STEM Training for Female Students at 20 Temmuz Science High School
As part of the Near East University Mentorship Program, faculty members organized a special STEM education session on December 25, 2024 for female students at 20 Temmuz Science High School.
The training introduced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in achieving them.
During the interactive session, students explored topics such as recycling, renewable energy, and climate change, developing creative solutions for global challenges.
The session was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Arıkan Sarıoğlu, Dr. Nezihal Gökbulut, and Aslı Akyol İnada, who highlighted how STEM fosters scientific thinking, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Through these activities, Near East University aims to empower young women to become future leaders in STEM and sustainability.
STEM Education on Sustainable Development Goals at Bülent Ecevit Anatolian High School
Near East University academics conducted a STEM and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) workshop on December 25, 2024 at Bülent Ecevit Anatolian High School to raise awareness among students about global challenges and career opportunities in STEM fields.
The event, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Arıkan Sarıoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülsüm Aşıksoy, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nuriye Sancar, focused on the integration of the four STEM disciplines and their impact on achieving the SDGs.
Students learned how STEM contributes to solving issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change, and how individuals can make a difference through science and innovation.
The speakers also shared their own academic experiences and encouraged students to pursue STEM careers, highlighting the importance of women’s participation in building a sustainable and equitable future.
STEM Education for Female Students at Bayraktar Secondary School
On November 26, 2024, Prof. Dr. Aşkın Kiraz and Prof. Dr. Engin Baysen from Near East University conducted a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) workshop for female students at Bayraktar Secondary School. The workshop aimed to enhance the students’ scientific thinking skills and enable them to combine technology with art to create innovative solutions.
During the event, the students engaged in a variety of activities from different disciplines. They participated in scientific experiments, engineering projects, artistic applications, and mathematical problem-solving exercises, which encouraged active involvement. The students were also introduced to projects focused on sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions.
Prof. Dr. Kiraz and Prof. Dr. Baysen expressed that the goal of the workshop was to increase the girls’ interest in science and technology, while also equipping them with essential skills for a sustainable future. They emphasized that such activities would help promote gender equality and encourage young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, inspiring them to become tomorrow's leaders.
STEM for Sustainable Development Goals – Mentorship Program Event
As part of the Near East University Mentorship Program, faculty members delivered a presentation on December 27, 2023, at Nicosia Turkish High School, titled “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for Sustainable Development Goals.”
The session aimed to inspire students to explore STEM fields and understand how their future career choices can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Arıkan Sarıoğlu (Faculty of Medicine), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Beyza Hatice Ulusoy (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), and Asst. Prof. Dr. Gonca (Faculty of Health Sciences), the event highlighted real-life examples of how STEM disciplines support sustainability and public well-being.
Through their mentorship and expertise, Near East University academics encouraged students to shape their academic paths with a focus on sustainability and global impact.
Empowering Women Students Through Mentorship Programs
Near East University continued to make significant progress in 2024 through its mentorship programs designed to support the academic, social, and professional development of women students. Throughout the year, 850 female students benefited from one-to-one and group mentoring sessions conducted by academic staff from diverse disciplines. This figure exceeds 10% of the university’s female student population, demonstrating that the institution has successfully achieved and surpassed its mentorship target.
University-Wide Mentorship Program
The university’s efforts to empower female students extended beyond individual initiatives. The 2024 University-Wide Mentorship Program also provided comprehensive support to students.
Within the scope of this program, students received mentorship in key areas such as career planning, leadership skills, project development, access to scholarships and academic opportunities, academic guidance, and professional experience sharing. Through these sessions, students strengthened their academic goals, broadened their career vision, and enhanced their professional networks.
TOCAM’s Contribution and Women-Focused Mentorship Support
The Center of Gender Studies (TOCAM) played a pivotal role in providing structured mentorship opportunities tailored specifically to women students. TOCAM continued its mission to enhance women students’ academic empowerment, career planning, self-confidence, and professional development.
In 2024, the Center organized large-scale awareness and mentorship events, including:
“Women’s Studies and Multidisciplinary Approaches Symposium”
Bringing together women from diverse professional fields such as politics, law, health, media, and academia, this symposium welcomed over 500 female students. Throughout the event, designated time slots were dedicated to mentorship support, offering personalized guidance to participants.
“Awareness on Violence Against Women Panel” – 25 November
Focused on women’s rights, combating violence against women, and raising social awareness, this panel hosted over 300 participants. Mentorship sessions were conducted under TOCAM’s coordination, providing academic and personal guidance to attendees and empowering them to seek support and resources where needed.
Empowering Female Students Through Mentorship and Equal Opportunity Initiatives
Mentors’ responsibilities extend beyond the preference phase and continue throughout the student experience. Mentors provide academic and professional guidance, help students overcome challenges, form support networks, and develop the skills needed to succeed in their academic and career journeys. These efforts play a key role in empowering female students, particularly in fields where women have historically been underrepresented, such as STEM.
Aligned with our institutional commitment to gender equality, Near East University offers specialized mentorship and counseling services designed to support women who may not traditionally consider certain academic disciplines, including STEM fields. Through these initiatives, our goal is to encourage informed decision-making, promote inclusivity, and break down barriers that may exist for female students across diverse academic areas.
Our mentorship programs ensure that all female students—regardless of their chosen discipline—have equal access to guidance, encouragement, and professional development opportunities. In line with this mission, we have set a target to provide mentorship opportunities to at least 10% of our female student population each academic year. We are proud to report that we have successfully met and sustained this target over the past three years, demonstrating our strong and ongoing dedication to promoting gender equality, supporting women in higher education, and enhancing their academic and professional success.
"Girls in STEM: Pioneering Science for a Sustainable Tomorrow!"
Turkish Cypriot Gender Equality and Empowerment Center (TOCAM)
Near East University has established the Turkish Cypriot Gender Equality and Empowerment Center (TOCAM) as a research hub for gender studies. TOCAM actively supports gender equality initiatives, including mentorship training programs to empower female students. The centre enhances academic and professional development through these mentorship activities, providing a supportive environment where female students benefit from mentorship opportunities.
Inspiring STEM Careers for Future Generations
Empowering Women Through Mentorship and Collaboration for Sustainable Development
Women and Law Symposium: A Sustainability-Focused Exploration of Women's Rights
