Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities calls for reducing inequality within and among countries, ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion for all regardless of age, sex, disability, race, or other status. Doğuş University embraces this goal through inclusive policies, support systems, and social initiatives that promote equity. 

• Inclusive Leadership in Higher Education: The strong representation of women in managerial and leadership positions (over 65%) at our university stands as clear evidence of its deep-rooted commitment to equity and inclusivity. This inclusive culture is not merely a stated value but a demonstrated institutional practice, reflected in equitable access to leadership opportunities and sustained support for women at all levels of administration and academia. By fostering diverse and inclusive leadership, the university contributes to a more balanced academic environment and sets a strong example for gender-responsive governance in higher education. 

• Inclusive Education Policies: Doğuş University strives to provide equal opportunities in higher education. Admissions and scholarship decisions are based on merit and need, without bias. The student body is diverse, including individuals from different regions, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. International students are welcomed and supported by an International Office, reflecting Goal 10’s vision of reducing inequalities among countries through mobility and cross-cultural exchange. 

• Support for Students with Disabilities: To ensure no one is left behind, DOU has a dedicated Disabled Student Support Unit. This unit arranges accommodations such as assistive technology, accessible classroom seating, sign language interpreters, or alternative exam arrangements for students with disabilities. Campus facilities are continually being upgraded for wheelchair accessibility (ramps, elevators, tactile pathways for the visually impaired). These measures enable students with differing abilities to fully participate in university life, upholding SDG 10’s aim of inclusion. 

• Gender and Economic Equity: The university’s scholarship and financial aid programs effectively reduce economic inequalities in access to education. Many students from low-income family’s study at DOU with partial or full scholarships. Additionally, the university maintains gender parity in enrollment – roughly equal numbers of male and female students – and actively encourages women into STEM fields through outreach. By narrowing gender gaps in education and supporting disadvantaged students, DOU addresses multiple dimensions of inequality.  

• Student Clubs and Social Awareness: Various student-led clubs advocate for social justice and equality. The Sociology Club and Social Service Club organize panels on topics like income inequality, refugee rights, and disability awareness. For example, engineering students in the Engineer Minds Club once visited Tebessüm Kahvesi, a café staffed by individuals with Down syndrome, to support workplace inclusion. Through volunteering and dialogue, students become champions for an inclusive society – spreading the values of SDG 10. 

• Research and Projects Highlights: 

  • Community Outreach for Equality: Doğuş University actively partners with municipal authorities and NGOs to reduce inequalities and promote inclusive development. One notable initiative involved offering free Turkish language and computer literacy courses to Syrian refugees and older adults in the surrounding community. This action-oriented program not only provided practical skills but also served as an applied research project—with DOU documenting participants’ progress in integration, employment, and education outcomes. Many graduates secured jobs or pursued further education, making the initiative a replicable model for social inclusion. By sharing its resources and expertise with underrepresented groups, the university directly contributes to SDG 10’s call to empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all.

  • Selected Sample Publications: 

    • Social Inclusion Research: “Populist securitization of migration: The anti-immigrant Zafer Party example in Türkiye” (2025) – M.A. Özoflu, M.H. Yiğit Uyar, A.K. Altındağ, C. Uyar. DOU political scientists analyzed how anti-immigrant rhetoric shaped public. The study sheds light on challenges faced by refugees and the narratives that drive inequality. Its insights support SDG 10 by informing policies that counter exclusionary discourse and protect the rights of migrant communities. 

    • Governance & Trust Study: “Different meaning attributions as important predictors of trust in the European Union” (2025) – M. Aslan. This research explored how diverse social groups perceive the EU. Understanding these perceptions is key to addressing feelings of marginalization or inequality among populations. Findings from such studies guide inclusive policy-making, aligned with SDG 10’s aim to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities within and among countries.