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.”
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.