New York, NY (May 19, 2020) – On this 19th of May, also known as the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, Turkish Philanthropy Funds is proud to announce the 2020 Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award recipients: Kardelen Çiçek and Duygu Ekin Şimşek-Ayasli! These young women are impressive representatives of the youth that we celebrate today.
This year, Kardelen will continue receiving her scholarship for her final year of graduate studies in the M.A. Applied Economics program at George Washington University. During her first year in the program, which was also her first time living abroad, she adapted well to her new life in Washington, D.C. as she successfully completed her first academic year. Based on her impressive devotion and dedication to expanding her knowledge base and formal economics skills, the Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award Committee is pleased to continue its support of Kardelen for her last year of study.
Duygu Ekin Ayaşlı is another successful young woman who will continue receiving her scholarship during the 2020-2021 academic year for her Ph.D. program in Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During her first year, she successfully completed her coursework as well as her research and teaching assistantship responsibilities.
The Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award is designed to encourage and support outstanding female students in need of financial support to pursue graduate degrees in economics in the U.S. These scholarships are offered to dedicated female students on the basis of personal commitment, academic merit, civic and community responsibility and financial need after a competitive selection process. Today, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and an uncertain global world order, the Committee believes it is all the more important to support these young women by removing the financial barriers that are disproportionately imposed on them and that inhibit their educational ambitions. George Schieber, the late Sena’s husband and a former World Bank economist, emphasizes the critical role of improving the opportunities for these young women to fully achieve their development potentials:
“In this time of tremendous uncertainty, serious personal health risks, and economic upheaval, I applaud the dedication and courage of these young women, who are interested in not just developing their exceptional personal and technical capacities, but in pursuing careers that will make the world a better place for them, their parents, and future generations. Our future well-being will depend on young people like them who believe in information, science, global knowledge, policy analysis, and global collaboration to solve the 21st-century challenges that all countries face in this era of extreme partisanship, nationalism, and lack of empathy for the globally disadvantaged.”
TPF Board Member and member of the Sena Eken Schieber Scholarship selection committee, Dr. Nakiye Boyacıgiller looks forward to seeing the accomplishments of these women every year. “I love being part of the Sena Eken-Schieber Scholarship selection committee! Reading about the accomplishments and dreams of this year’s scholarship recipients gives me hope for Turkey’s future. I thank George Schieber for his generosity and the TPF team for all their work in creating this fantastic program.”
In these past months, we have experienced many changes in our daily lives. As these changes continue, and we are forced to adapt to new environments, these young women have continued to show their dedication to making a difference in the future.
“During these unprecedented times of change and uncertainty, it is nice to be able to offer financial stability to these young accomplished women, so that they can continue focusing on their important dreams and make them come true. Congratulations!” said Sena’s niece, Esra Krause, who serves on the selection committee. The Sena Eken Schieber awardees continue to shine through all challenges they are facing along the way, whether they be the new country they have moved to, the academic road they are on, and/or the unpredictable changes the world has seen due to the coronavirus.
About The Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award and Sena Eken Schieber
The Sena Eken Schieber Economics Award is supported by the Eken Schieber Scholarship Fund at Turkish Philanthropy Funds. The fund was established by Sena’s husband, George Schieber, to celebrate Sena Eken Schieber’s life, and continue her legacy as a pioneering international civil servant, Turkish Government official, economist, and a role model for many women. Sena was not only a highly competent, hard-working, and successful professional, but also a wonderful wife, a caring and dedicated sister, aunt, family member, friend, and mentor. She was known as an inspirational leader who lived life to the fullest. The scholarship supports young women from Turkey from low-income families to pursue graduate degrees in economics in the United States.
About Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF)
Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) is the leading U.S. community foundation for high-impact social investments dedicated to Turkish and Turkish-American communities. Since 2007, TPF has mobilized over $40M and has invested over $21M in grants with partners focused on addressing economic, education, gender equality, social, and environmental needs in Turkey and around the world. By providing support to realize the philanthropic vision of individuals, families, and corporations, TPF donors and partners have reached thousands of families and directly funded over 200 projects.
For more information about the application process for the 2021 Award cycle or other philanthropic accounts at TPF, please visit here or call us at 646.530.8988.