5

Istanbul Medipol University maintains a comprehensive and actively implemented Gender Equality Action Plan, reflecting its institutional commitment to SDG 5 and to international best practices in inclusive higher education governance. The Plan was revised and strengthened in 2024 to ensure alignment with evolving national legislation, global standards, and the University’s strategic priorities.

Policy Framework

The Action Plan operates in conjunction with the University’s formal Gender Equality Policy, which defines principles of equal opportunity, non-discrimination, inclusive participation, and gender-sensitive governance. Together, these documents establish a coherent framework for:

• Promoting balanced representation in academic and administrative units,
• Strengthening gender-sensitive institutional culture,
• Preventing discrimination, harassment, and inequality,
• Improving transparency in recruitment, promotion, and decision-making,
• Expanding training, awareness, and capacity-building programs.

Gender Equality in Admissions, Enrolment, and Student Progression

Istanbul Medipol University maintains a robust and data-driven framework to monitor gender equality across all stages of the student lifecycle including applications, admissions, enrollment, retention, and graduation. This framework aligns closely with national higher education regulations and the University’s institutional commitment to SDG 5.

Centralized Data Collection Through MEBIS

The University’s comprehensive student information system, MEBIS, records all academic and administrative data, including gender-disaggregated information on:

• Application numbers,
• Admissions and placement results,
• Enrolment and registration,
• Progression from year to year,
• Graduation and completion rates.

MEBIS enables continuous monitoring, annual reporting, and longitudinal comparison, allowing academic units and senior management to evaluate gender representation across all programmes.

National Data Integration

For students placed through national central examinations, Medipol reviews gender-segmented data from YÖK Atlas, the official higher education analytics platform of Türkiye. This provides accurate insight into national application patterns and gender representation across academic fields.

International Student Admissions at Istanbul Medipol University

Because international student recruitment is conducted directly by the University, all international applications, acceptance rates, scholarship decisions, and enrolments are monitored internally. Gender-segmented dashboards allow the University to evaluate representation across countries and programmes.

These mechanisms ensure that gender balance is regularly assessed and that improvement actions are systematically integrated into faculty planning.

The University publishes high-level statistics through “Medipol at a Glance”, an annual report that provides gender-related insights across faculties and programs.

Through the combined use of national platforms, institutional information systems, accreditation mechanisms, and transparent reporting tools, Istanbul Medipol University maintains a strong, evidence-based system for tracking gender equality and ensuring continuous improvement across all academic processes.

Encouraging Applications by Women in Underrepresented Fields

Istanbul Medipol University actively encourages women to apply to academic programs in which they have been historically underrepresented. This commitment is embedded within the University Gender Equality Policy, Gender Equality Action Plan, International Student Directive and the institutional work coordinated by the Office of the Ombudsman for Anti-Discrimination and Equality.

The University implements targeted awareness campaigns, school outreach activities, open-day programs, and faculty-specific information sessions designed to increase female participation in these areas. Academic units collaborate with student clubs and SURKAM to highlight successful female role models, organize mentoring activities, and provide guidance to prospective female students. Data on female application, enrollment, and progression rates are regularly monitored through YÖK Atlas and internal systems (MEBIS) to assess progress and to strengthen evidence-based strategies that promote gender-balanced student recruitment.

Through these integrated efforts, Medipol ensures an inclusive admissions environment where women are informed, encouraged, and supported to pursue disciplines where gender gaps continue to exist—fully aligned with its institutional equality goals and SDG 5.

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