The ‘Geek Girl Dinner’ event organized for female students of Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) studying in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field was held at Walled City, Famagusta. Organized within the scope of the “Project for Enhancing Women's Economic Participation and Partnership along the Green Line”, financed by the European Union (EU) and carried out by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce Women Entrepreneurs Council (KTTO-KGK), the event aimed to increase the visibility and efficiency of women in technology.
The event organized under the leadership of Eda Kervanlı, Chair of the Council that began its efforts in 2020 under KTTO to promote women’s active involvement in the economy—and later became institutionalized as KTTO-KGK—brought together female students from EMU pursuing studies in information technology, engineering, and technology. During the event, students had the opportunity to present their own projects, share their aspirations for the future, and engage in inspiring discussions about their career paths.
Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment
The project which is funded by the EU and carried out by the KTTO-KGK, aims to increase the rate of women’s entrepreneurship from 13.1% to 15% and female participation in the workforce from 34.9% to 38% by 2026. To meet these goals, the initiative prioritizes empowering women across social, academic, and economic domains, while also promoting the development of collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnerships.
In this context, the event titled ‘Geek Girl Dinner’ provided female students not only opportunities for their academic success, but also a chance to enhance their social skills, meet with their role models and initiate sustainable social networks. At the said event, Chair of KTTO-KGK Eda Kervanlı, KTTO-KGK Executive Board members Elif Onan and Tüge Dolmacı, and Project Coordinator Merve Ereksel offered participants insights on possible opportunities and challenges that they may encounter in the professional world. They also shared their experiences in entrepreneurship.
Strong Participation and Support from EMU
EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe, EMU TechGirls Committee members, KTTO-KGK members and Analiz Özgü LTD. Director Özgü Taçyıldız also attended the event. Underscoring EMU’s sensitive approach on gender equality, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç said:
“Enhancing the visibility of our female students in fields like technology and engineering is among our university’s key priorities. To support this mission, we provide dedicated scholarships, research funding, and mentorship opportunities for women. The ambition and enthusiasm demonstrated by the young women present today reaffirm our dedication to this cause. At EMU, we remain committed to advancing the empowerment of women across all sectors.”
DAÜ TechGirls
The TechGirls Committee, operating on a voluntary basis within EMU, carries out events and awareness initiatives to support women pursuing technology fields. The committee members include Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nazife Dimililer, Dr. Yeşim Kapsıl Çırak, Dr. Özlem Görkan Evre, Senior Instructor Halide Sarıçizmeli, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Raziye Nevzat. Guided by the motto, “It was challenging for us, so it shouldn’t be for you,” the Committee thanked KTTO-KGK for their support in advancing their mission to mentor young women through this event.
Event Receives Top Praise from the Students
The event, which saw the participation of around 30 students, drew significant interest from female EMU students representing 12 different countries. Participant Muna Mahgoub reflected on the experience, saying, “The event was both incredibly insightful and enjoyable! I had the chance to meet inspiring, accomplished, and confident women. Connecting with peers made me realize that talent, ambition, and passion are the common threads that unite us all. For me, this event marked the start of many meaningful and lasting relationships. I hope similar events can be held more often to continue elevating women’s voices in technology.”
Nasım Niksiar, another participant, expressed her feelings by saying; “It was an immense pride to be invited to the event. I had the chance to meet with talented young women and hear their inspiring ideas. We engaged in meaningful discussions about the future of technology on this island. I sincerely thank everyone who made this event possible.”
Another attendee, Fatemeh Abbasi, said; “This event proved to be incredibly beneficial for me. It allowed me to connect with others who have shared interests and ambitions. Being part of a community where we can exchange ideas, support one another, and potentially collaborate on projects or ventures is truly rewarding. The chance to interact with professional women and gain insight from their experiences was very inspiring. Such events play a vital role in building our confidence and maintaining our motivation.”
An Inspiring Step for Young Women
The Geek Girl Dinner created a special opportunity for female students to engage directly with one another and with representatives from the industry, serving as a significant milestone in their career development. EMU is dedicated to persistently advancing initiatives that enhance women’s participation in the technology field
