International Women's Day at the 3rd inspiring Women of NeurotechEU event in 2023
About International Women's day
International Women's Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in all fields, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), politics, business, and the arts. Women worldwide face significant challenges, including discrimination, gender-based violence, and limited representation in decision-making roles. International Women's Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about these issues and advocate for gender equality. It is also a time to celebrate the achievements of women and highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality.
Women of NeurotechEU
NeurotechEU was thrilled to host the third International Women's Day event, “Women of NeurotechEU”. The event, organised by the “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMF) and the Student Council, aimed to celebrate the achievements of all women and women in STEM disciplines and explore ways to empower and support women in these fields.
The event started with a warm and personal welcome talk by UMF Rector Anca Dana Buzoianu. Four keynote lectures by outstanding women of our university followed up, including a speech by the Rector of Reykjavik University, Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, Kathleen O’Connor, Vice-Rector of the University of Lille, the Vice-Rector of the University Miguel Hernández María José López Sánchez, and Professor Arzu Çelik from Bogazici University who shared their insights and experiences being a woman in their personal and academic life. Their presentations were both informative and inspiring, highlighting the significant contributions that women are making to these fields.
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Celebration of International Women's day with the 3rd edition of Women of NeurotechEU. All women received a flower, as it is Romanian tradition on International Women's Day. Keynote speakers from left to right: Anca Dana Buzoianu, María José López Sánchez, Ragnhildur Helgadóttir, Kathleen O'Connor, Arzu Çelik[/caption]
The roundtable discussion on empowering women in STEM was a particularly engaging and thought-provoking session. With a diverse panel consisting of women from UMF, Radboud University, Reykjavik University, University of Lille, and the University Miguel Hernández, they had the opportunity to share their perspectives on the challenges facing women in STEM and the strategies needed to overcome them.
The special session on Neurotechnology was a highlight of the event, featuring five lectures by women, from student to Professor, who are making significant contributions to this exciting field. They shared their insights on their latest research in neuroscience and neurotechnology applications, providing valuable inspiration for the next generation of women in STEM and neurotechnology.
"To all women and men of NeurotechEU, be an example and fight inequality"
Vice-Rector Kathleen O'Connor
Synapse lecture series
During the regularly scheduled Synapses lecture series organised by the NeurotechEU Student Council and Synapses, the NeurotechEU student society organises (virtual) events and talks on neurotechnology. For this lecture, Dean at Reykjavik University, Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir, gave a talk about women's rights and equality.
Communication workshop
In addition to the Women of NeurotechEU day on the 8th of March, a communication meeting was organised by the University of Debrecen, and a communication workshop was organised by partner university Karolinska Institutet. The workshop covered a range of topics designed to improve communication skills, including a pitch training session, tips on how to communicate with impact, a presentation on the effective use of social media, and a reflection on how to improve overall communication strategies.
Overall, the communication workshop was a valuable experience for everyone who attended. The various sessions provided practical tips and techniques that can be applied immediately in personal and professional settings. By improving their communication skills, participants are better equipped to achieve their goals and positively impact their fields.
“Do not limit yourself, try it and do not give up”
Professor Arzu Çelik
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Images by the “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy