8 March International Women's Day was celebrated through a series of events at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) and all over the world. Within the scope of these activities, the women working in different sectors made speeches in the conference titled "Woman in the Sector" held in the Faculty of Engineering.

The conference was held with the participation of Eda Beylihan, Vice-Coordinator of OMU Samsun Technopark Technology Transfer Office (TTO) having a bright career in her sector, Rahşan Erdoğan Yılmaz, Legal Advisor of Yeşilırmak Elektrik Perakende Satış A.Ş. (YEPAŞ), Hatice Nur Gündoğdu, CEO of HNG Aviation and the first female pilot of gyrocopter (single helicopter) in Turkey and Europe, Fatma Özdemir, R&D Director of Ericsson, and Esra Esmer, Business Development Manager of Ford Otosan as invited speakers.

Prof. Zeki Karaca, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, academicians, and students also participated in the conference organized by Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Club of the Faculty of Engineering and held in the conference hall of the faculty.

At the beginning of the program, the participants kept a minute of silence for Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Founder of the Republic of Turkey, fellow soldiers and martyrs and then the National Anthem was sung.

"Such events will shed light on your career plans in the future"

Prof. Zeki Karaca, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Engineering, conveyed the greetings of Prof. Birol Elevli, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, who was not able to participate in the conference due to another program in his schedule, and he celebrated the 8 Marc International Women's Day for all women.

"Women must believe in themselves"

Faculty Member Dr. Serap Karagöl, Academic Consultant of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Club, made a speech on behalf of all academicians who contributed to the realization of the conference and she remarked that the activity titled "Woman in the Sector" held for the third time attracted more attention each year. Then Sertap Sivri, Head of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Club, emphasized that they aimed to announce the achievements of women in the sector and to eliminate the prejudices in this issue by means of such events. Eda Beylihan, Vice-Coordinator of Samsun Technopark TTO, expressed her appreciation for becoming a part of such a meaningful organization as a female engineer and she talked about the difficulties that she encountered in the industry.

In her speech, Eda Beylihan gave some examples of women's power by referring to Zübeyde Hanim, Nene Hatun, Halide Edip Adivar and Sabiha Gokcen with gratitude.

Rahşan Erdoğan Yılmaz, Legal Advisor of YEPAŞ, made a presentation and she shared her experiences in business life as a legal expert. She also explained the historical development of 8 March.

The number of women in the aviation sector is only 4 thousand

Hatice Nur Gündoğdu, CEO of HNG Aviation and the first female pilot of gyrocopter (single helicopter) in Turkey and Europe, stated in her presentation that she decided to become a pilot while working in the aviation sector, that she made research on this issue and she explained how she managed to be the first female pilot of gyrocopter.

Fatma Özdemir, R&D Director of Ericsson, underlined the need to increase the diversity in companies and firms. Esra Esmer, Ford Otosan Business Development Manager, who pursued her dreams and received education in the Faculty of Management Engineering at ITU although her family and teachers wanted her to become a doctor, also shared with participants her experiences on harsh career ladders.

At the end of the day-long event, the prominent speakers who came to the forefront with their success in business life were presented with plaques and sapling certificates.