You have been the president of TUCSA, the only comprehensive establishment of Structural Steel sector in Turkey, since 2001, and the elected Chair for the 2009-2010 term in the global establishment ECCS. Thus becoming the star of the national and international Structural Steel Sector. We congragulate you wholeheartedly. This is a success story. How did it all start, what have you done, can you tell us about the achievements of the field in time?
A significant increase was perceived in the field after the 1999 earthquake. Even among the students, papers on steel grew in number. This momentum has been growing since. However the globalization of the world has also affected it all. First of all the importance of steel buildings with steel s qualities are better known. Hence the sectoral development found its way into the universities. Alas, its not quite at the desired level yet, but I am hopefull.
Your being an academician actually is reflected on every TUCSA activity &.
I observe that as an association we have established to promote steel structures, but we see the right employment among our aims and amended our constitution accordingly. We are stressing that not only the prevalence of steel structures but right design and construction are also necessary. To select the right one is important, whichever material is suited best to the project. Also if the project is perfect for steel construction, it is best not to desist with mere excuses like it being expensive &
Construction sector especially the Structural Steel Sector is preeminently a male domaine. How does it feel to be not just a woman but an executive as well in such a male intensive field?
Actually I began very early in 1960, at 0Tİ, Civil Engineering School, there were 150 student in a class and only a total of 10 girls attended all the courses. Then later I saw very few female civil engineers but never encountered any difficulties personally. One eventually has many male friends and they help. I feel privileged. Not just in Turkey but everywhere equal opportunities is an issue. At school, in my career I haven t encountered any difficulties. But not everyone is so lucky. I do see that men are not so understanding when it comes to women at higher ranks, maybe I was an exception but here in this country most women do not have an education because of all sorts of oppressions. My fortune was my family. They have been supporting me all the time. We can not choose our families, thus another road may be taken in another family. I made my decisions and stood by them. I have decided for my sÁhool, chosen my profession, and chosen to support Fenerbahce. But my family is my luck. As for the asociation, I was elected and I believe it is to be lucky too. Because I love this association. Since my twenties, by choosing steel structures I entered this society, to become the president is an honor and it makes me happy. I see this as my fortune, my family and the association.