The Woman in Technology Association (Wtech) has undertaken a project that will shape the future of technology in Türkiye in the centennial year of the Turkish Republic. The project named “Leading 100s in Technology” will offer participants a comprehensive and completely free training program to train 100 female and 25 male leaders in technology. The press launch of the project, which includes 70 leading supporter brands in Türkiye, took place on Monday, January 22, 2024, at The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul Ballroom.
The Woman in Technology Association aims to increase the number of women experts in science and technology, and motivate them, with the goal of integrating women into employment and production processes in the field of technology. With the slogan “Together, We Are Stronger,” the association brought together 70 leading Turkish brands, including corporate members, under the “Leading 100s in Technology” project. The press launch, opened by Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, featured speeches by Zehra Öney, the Founding President of the Woman in Technology Association, and Banu Arıduru, Board Member of the Woman in Technology Association and CEO of Çelebi Hizmet Gıda İşletmeleri and Little Caesars Pizza Türkiye.
After the opening speeches, top executives of supporting brands gathered on stage for a group photo and, in line with the Woman in Technology Association’s motto “Together, We Are Stronger”. They also sang “Shine (Parla),” which is composed by the famous singer Norm Ender as the anthem for the centennial of the Turkish Republic.
Among the brands supporting the project are Akbank, Alpplas, Amsterdam Tech, Arena, Arksigner Software, Bilyoner, Binance, Borusan, Bosphorus ISS, BT Academy, Castrol, Commencis, Damat Tween, Destek Patent, Dorçe Prefabrik, Düşyeri Bilişim, Ekşi Teknoloji, EnerjiSA, Ernamaş, Esas Holding, Fiba Retail, Fintables, Ford Otomotiv, FoxHR, Gemicioğlu Hukuk, Globaltürk Capital, Google Cloud, Gtech, Hitit Bilgisayar, Ingrammicro, Insider, Intertech, IT Service Technologies, İstanbul Data Science Academy, JOIN US, Kayalar Kimya, Koçzer, Kofana, KP Hukuk, Credit Registration Bureau (KKB), Lenovo, Linktera, Little Caesars Pizza, Logo Software, Manpower, Mastercard, MediaMarkt, OBSS Technology, Oggusto, Onedio, Opportune, Otokoç Automotive, Özay Law Bureau, Peakup, Pera Private Education Institutions, Piksel Academy, QNB Finansbank, Robusta, Sahibinden.com, Simon Kucher, TD Synnex, The Ritz-Carlton, Teknosa, Tempo BPO, UNO, Ülker, Vodafone, Yapıkredi Bankası, and 360+ Media Interactive Technologies.
The Woman in Technology Association is training the leaders of the future
To participate in the program aimed at selecting Türkiye’s most talented youth in the field of technology and equipping them with technical and social skills, students undergo a series of exams in analytical skills, software, and English, and participate in an interview. The chosen students will specialize in Data Analytics, Data Science with Python, Artificial Intelligence with Python, Robotic Process Automation, Process Analyst, and Cybersecurity. Additionally, they will receive social skills training to increase their IQ, EQ, and CQ, along with mentorship support from supporting institutions. At the end of the program, students will receive smart digital certificates and have the opportunity to engage in job interviews with supporting organizations.
The project aims to increase individuals’ expertise, competence, and creativity in technology, but also aims to promote equal opportunities and diversity in Türkiye’s technology sector. It envisions an increase in the gross domestic product, leading to a higher standard of living, peaceful coexistence, and a strong country. The goal is to position Türkiye among the top 10 countries globally in technology by harnessing the skilled workforce and reversing brain drain to redirect the intellectual power of Turks worldwide to strengthen the homeland.
The Woman in Technology Association actively supports the reform package announced by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, contributing to the goal of training 1 million software developers. Their efforts extend beyond software development to empower women and young individuals in various technical fields.
Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş: The role of women has always been a vital factor in Türkiye’s development and progress.
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş emphasized the importance of women in technology in her opening speech, stating: “Skilled workforce in STEM fields is now considered a strategic asset. In this field, a comprehensive perspective and the presence of women, particularly with sensitivity to societal issues, are crucial. We are making special efforts to improve the education and careers of our girls. Because we know that the role of women has always been a vital factor in Türkiye’s development and progress. The presence of women has been decisive in the steps we have taken throughout the hundred years since the establishment of our Republic. In the digital age, we believe in the power of women and strive to do our best to pave the way for them.”
Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, commenting on the success of the “Leaders of Technology 100” project, added: “We organize activities to introduce our girls to new technologies, lead them in developing their skills in this field, and increase their interest in technology. We particularly emphasize collaboration in these efforts and wholeheartedly support projects that involve cooperation. The ‘Leaders of Technology 100’ project by the Woman in Technology Association is a very successful example of collaboration in this regard. I would like to thank the supporting brands of our project. One of the distinctive features of this project is its promotion of women with an 80% female quota. I believe that the implementation of an 80% female quota in the project will inspire similar initiatives in terms of promoting equal opportunities. The most crucial aspect of this investment for the future is the investment in our qualified workforce. I wish this valuable project continued success and extend my thanks to the president of the association, Mrs. Zehra Öney, and everyone involved in the execution of the project.”
Founding President of the Woman in Technology Association, Zehra Öney: We are now living in an era where humans are no longer alone, and one in which the artificial intelligence revolution has been transforming our lives.
Zehra Öney, the Founding President of the Woman in Technology Association, highlighted the significance of the program for Türkiye, saying: “In the current technology sector, when I look at the number of individuals capable of rapidly producing technology, working in R&D, and being leaders who ‘manage’ rather than ‘being managed’ for technology to benefit humanity and the world, remain insufficient in Türkiye and the world in this new era. However, this century demands something crucial. This century requires both institutions and individuals to be leaders because we are no longer in an era where humans are alone; we have a competitor: artificial intelligence.
For this reason, I started my research two years ago, and on January 31, 2019, the Woman in Technology Association, established with the participation of 75 institutions. The number of our corporate members quickly reached 160, and we have trained over 5,000 students in technology in the last four years. I proudly say that 75% of them are women, and 93% of them are currently employed.
We successfully implemented the concept of ‘Together, We Are Stronger’ in the new century of our Republic, with the participation of 70 member brands, addressing the most significant deficiency in Türkiye: the need for role models.
This time, we called on the most talented, competent, and academically strong young people in Türkiye to meet the demand. Studying in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field, having analytical thinking skills, sufficient software knowledge, English sufficiency, strong personality traits, and possessing ethical qualities were among our selection criteria. We accepted 168 applications that fulfilled all the criteria, and interestingly, 84% of the applicants were women. We have now added 40 more students to this group, and thus, we have started our ‘Leading 100s in Technology’ program with over 200 students.
This pilot education, a first of its kind in Türkiye, will have graduates who will join the workforce and become role models for Türkiye. We aim for this project, which will last for many years, to reach hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, and hundreds of thousands students. We are proud and delighted that our Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş took the time to attend our launch press conference despite her busy schedule. Alongside our ministry, we aim to promote and expand this project as an exemplary initiative beyond Türkiye.”
Board Member of the Woman in Technology Association, Banu Arıduru: Making the “Leaders of Technology 100” Project a Sustainable Benefit is Our Greatest Goal
Banu Arıduru, Board Member of the Woman in Technology Association, who is leading the program, expressed her joy in conducting the press launch of the ”Leading 100s in Technology” project with the support of 70 pioneering institutions.
While discussing the significance of the project, Arıduru stated, “We are opening a space for our youth, especially our young girls, to actively ‘choose’ a career in technology and science. We aim for the number of our young friends studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to increase day by day, for them to participate in employment with high self-confidence, and thus contribute to the development of our country. Since November 20, we have received hundreds of applications for our project. Our goal is to make this project a lasting and sustainable benefit for Türkiye, to train more of our youth, especially young girls, in technology, and to provide opportunities for them to participate in employment in these fields”.
Students who wish to participate in the program can submit their applications through wtechplatform.com until January 28, 2024.
