At Koç University, fostering gender parity across all academic fields is not just a priority but a core value. This commitment is powerfully articulated in the Koç University Gender Equality Plan (KUGEP), with a strong emphasis on advancing women’s roles in STEM fields. The College of Engineering plays a pivotal role in this mission, partnering closely with the Gender Equality Office (GEO) to create an inclusive and supportive environment for both current and future engineers. Computer engineering, in particular, stands at the forefront of this effort, as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are essential in shaping a just and sustainable digital future. The importance of raising gender equality-conscious computer scientists and engineers cannot be overstated. KU-ACM, a leading student organization, embodies this collective effort towards inclusivity in engineering education. Their recent participation in the international conference womENcourage™ 2024 is a testament to their dedication and success, and it is an achievement worth celebrating.

Koç University’s ACM student chapter (KU-ACM), representing the institution’s commitment to gender inclusivity in computer engineering, recently participated in the womENcourage™ 2024 conference in Madrid, Spain. KU-ACM is part of the global Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the world’s largest computing society, which fosters dialogue, resource sharing, and professional networking in the field of computing.

Founded to support and connect students interested in computer science, KU-ACM has grown to over 200 members and organizes more than 20 events annually, including coding contests, industry interviews, and educational workshops, aimed at both enhancing technical skills and promoting diversity within the field.

This year’s womENcourage™ conference, themed “Responsible Computing for Gender Equality,” highlighted the significance of bridging the gender gap in computing and emphasized the utilitarian nature of computing in advancing society. The event was a celebration of the impact of women in computing and provided a multidisciplinary forum for participants to share experiences, gain constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful networking.

Two members of KU-ACM, Deniz Soylular and Gülara Kaynar, both third-year computer engineering students and co-presidents of the club, attended the conference. Reflecting on the experience, Deniz shared, “From the first moments of the hackathon to the closing ceremony, the most memorable aspect has been the smiles. From current students to renowned professors, the event was full of support and warmth, encouraging you to share, learn, and create.”

The students participated in a hackathon focused on creating a language model that addresses bias, working alongside peers from different parts of Europe. Although their team did not qualify, the experience was invaluable.

Deniz emphasized the importance of the event in connecting with other ACM student chapters and learning about the challenges women face in the tech industry. “I am more motivated to take steps to help overcome inequalities,” Deniz remarked, highlighting the event’s role in fostering a sense of global community among participants.

The conference also offered an opportunity for KU-ACM to strengthen ties with other ACM-W chapters in Turkey and Europe, exchanging knowledge and best practices in promoting gender equality in computing. Inspired by their experience, the students expressed their ambition to host a future womENcourage™ event at Koç University, furthering their commitment to gender inclusivity in engineering education.

KU-ACM continues to play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality within the university’s computer engineering program. Through initiatives like womENcourage™, the club exemplifies the university’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment where all students, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to the future of computing.