The first phase of the Koç Finans Orange Wings Mentoring Program, conducted in collaboration with universities, has concluded, as part of Koç Holding’s commitment to gender equality in technology and innovation, in line with its global leadership at the United Nations Women Generation Equality Forum. Under this project, mentorship and internship opportunities were provided to female students recommended by universities and meeting specific criteria.
During the online graduation program, where the program’s first graduates received their certificates, Özlem Ekşioğlu Kumuk, the Director of IT and R&D at Koc Finansman, said, “We are aware that due to gender biases in society, women can be disadvantaged in fields such as engineering, technology, and innovation, and these societal judgments can lead to a loss of self-confidence in young women aspiring to shape their careers in these fields. With this in mind, we launched the Orange Wings Mentoring Program to encourage talented, hardworking, and idealistic young women studying at universities in Anatolia. During the intensive 10-month training period, we encouraged young people to focus on the areas they want to pursue in their professional lives. We also included some participants in the Koç Finans team by providing internship opportunities as part of the program. In the future, if suitable positions become available, we hope our paths will cross again for their employment.”
