Aydın Doğan Foundation Hosts Outstanding Students in Istanbul
Educational and Inspirational Journey for Successful Students by Aydın Doğan Foundation

As part of the “Success Takes Us to Istanbul” program, the Aydın Doğan Foundation welcomed successful young women students from different provinces of Turkey to Istanbul. During the program, which took place between May 19–23, 2025, 30 successful young women students and 10 teachers from 10 different dormitories in 6 cities of Turkey visited universities, explored Istanbul’s historical and cultural landmarks, and attended a special award ceremony at Doğan Holding with the participation of Aydın Doğan, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Aydın Doğan Foundation.

Organized by the Aydın Doğan Foundation since 2009, the “Success Takes Us to Istanbul” program aims to contribute to the development of the vision of successful young women students residing in dormitories built under the “Daddy, Send Me to School” campaign and to bring them together with role models.

This year, successful students from the districts of Kelkit, Şiran, and Kürtün in Gümüşhane; Aziziye and Yakutiye in Erzurum; Ereğli in Konya; Şarköy in Tekirdağ; Fethiye in Muğla; and the central and Sarıkamış districts of Kars participated in the program.

During the five-day program, students visited Istanbul’s historical and cultural sites, including Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Palace, Sultanahmet Mosque, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, Maiden’s Tower, and the Spice Bazaar. Additionally, they had the opportunity to visit Istanbul University and Boğaziçi University. On May 22, a special award ceremony was held at Doğan Holding, attended by Aydın Doğan, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Aydın Doğan Foundation. At the end of the program, successful students were presented with laptops as gifts by Hepsiburada.

Candan Fetvacı: As Agents of Change, Girls Will Play a Significant Role in the Economic and Social Development of Our Country

Speaking at the award ceremony held at Doğan Holding, Candan Fetvacı, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Aydın Doğan Foundation, emphasized that the program marks an important milestone in the students’ lives.

Fetvacı said in her speech:
“As Aydın Doğan Foundation, we have been carrying out projects intertwined with education, art, culture, and science for nearly thirty years to create brighter tomorrows and a happier society. In recent years, we have prioritized a key issue in Turkey’s agenda: the empowerment of girls. We encourage girls and young women to pursue their dreams and undertake leadership roles in every field of life. Recently, our work in this area has also begun receiving support from the European Union. With the highest motivation, we continue our efforts through the ‘Empowered Girls, Empowered Futures’ project to reach more girls and young women. Education is one of the best ways to empower girls and women and help them reach their full potential.”

Addressing the students, Fetvacı added:
“Your education today and your continued success in the future are incredibly valuable. We believe that as future leaders, you will make your institutions and positions better places. As agents of change, you will play a significant role in the economic and social development of our country.”

At the ceremony, Şeymanur Sağınç, a Law Faculty graduate who volunteered in social responsibility projects supported by Aydın Doğan Foundation, also gave a speech. Addressing young women students from across Turkey, she shared her personal story to inspire her younger peers and spoke about the transformative power of education.

Since 2009, the “Success Takes Us to Istanbul” program has been implemented by the Aydın Doğan Foundation with the goal of motivating young women students to continue their education and achieve greater success.