The organisation
Established in 2001, Yasar University (YU) has quickly become an ideal environment for research, personal development and learning by its 9 faculties (Law, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Engineering, Communication, Art and Design, Science and Letters, Architecture, Business and Humanities), 2 graduate schools, vocational school, EU Research Centre, Open and Distance Learning Centre, Knowledge & Technology Transfer Office and Continuing Education Centre.
Status of gender inequalities
YU does not have a specific program for gender-mainstreaming. However, the institution strongly encourages and supports academic researches and publications regarding women’s situation in Turkey, women’s rights, employment of women, violence against women. The University has a workforce of 413 academic and 324 administrative staff. Distribution of administrative personnel according to gender is 47% female and 53% male. Gender imbalance is visible in the distribution of academic managerial positions: Deans: 37,5% female, 62,5% male; Deputy Deans: 62,5% female, 37,5% male; Directors of institutes: Both institutes have male directors with one female and one male deputy directors; Directors of schools: 75% female, 25%male; Directors of research centers: All research centers have male directors with no deputy director; University Management: Rector and all vice-rectors are male; University Senate Members: 33% female, 67% male; Board of Trustees: 15% female, 85% male; Board of Directors: 39% female, 61% male. While there is a good balance in the M/F ratio among enrolled students (Bachelor and Master Studies), there is still a gender gap among male and female PhD (44% female) and Associate Degree (42% female) students. The total number of research projects funded by YU ’s own funds is instead 69, of which 29 have women as principal investigators while men coordinated 40 projects.
Existing gender equality policies at a faculty level
There is no center in the university that takes care of Gender Studies. However, gender is quite important to any research carried out in the academic field within the University. At the core of the YU ’s mission is “gender equality. At its establishment in 2001, YU ’s strategy was published. It is the intention of the university to be able to meet up with all its important responsibilities and also work on an agreed strategy that is above the minimum requirement for compliance. Being one of the popular Universities in Turkey, the policy on gender equality is meant to support all legislation on equality in countries that have an active collaboration with the university and also support government interests and policies. In addition, there is a wide range of services and policies that the university has, which is designed to make sure employees, is treated with utmost respect and in a fair manner. Policies and services that have relevance to the equality policy are employment of disabled personnel, harassment and bullying policy, flexible working hours to accommodate different religious engagement, policies that are supportive and family friendly.
