Gender Equality Plans (GEP)
As Özyeğin University (ÖzU), we aim to improve gender equality in all areas of our university, which is an important element of the sustainable management approach we adopt. We believe that achieving this goal can only be possible through in-depth concrete policies and practices. In this context, we are preparing Gender Equality Plans that will cover five-year periods.
GEP v2 (2024-2028)
Building upon its pioneering work in gender equality, Özyeğin University has developed the second cycle of its Gender Equality Plan (GEP v2) for 2024-2028. This new plan was formulated based on a thorough evaluation of TGEP v1 (2018-2022) and an analysis of evolving social conditions since 2020, ensuring a more systematic, inclusive, and sustainable framework for gender equality efforts.
GEP v2 expands its scope by increasing the number of key focus areas from five to seven, broadening its impact across different university stakeholders:
- Governing Bodies and Decision-Makers
- Career Development
- Recruitment and Work-Life Balance
- Research and Researchers
- Curriculum
- Students
- Knowledge Transfer for Gender Equality
During this new phase, the Gender Equality Office (ÖzU Gender Office) has been further strengthened, fostering closer collaboration between academic and administrative units. A wider range of awareness-raising activities and training programs have been introduced, and gender-sensitive data collection and reporting mechanisms have been enhanced to ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation.
GEP v2 provides a comprehensive roadmap for integrating gender equality into the university’s governance, education, research, and student experience. Through this plan, Özyeğin University aims to maintain its leadership in gender equality and build a strong institutional framework for the future.
GEP v1 (2018-2021)
Özyeğin University launched its Gender Equality Plan (GEP v1) in 2017 to institutionalize and enhance gender equality at all levels. Developed as part of the Horizon 2020 PLOTINA Project, this plan was the result of an in-depth self-assessment process that evaluated gender-related dynamics within the university.
GEP v1 focused on five key areas to implement concrete actions for gender equality:
- Governing Bodies and Decision-Makers
- Career Development
- Recruitment and Work-Life Balance
- Research and Researchers
- Curriculum
Within this framework, an expert team was established to provide guidance to academic and administrative units, training sessions were organized for university leaders, and sustainable monitoring mechanisms were developed. In 2018, a Gender Equality Expert was hired and placed under the direct supervision of the Rector’s Office to ensure the effective implementation of the plan.
Following the successful implementation of GEP v1, a comprehensive review was conducted in 2023 to identify areas for improvement and shape new strategies. As a result, a second iteration of the plan (GEP v2) covering the years 2024-2028 was developed, introducing a more inclusive and structured approach to gender equality.