Turkish university proud to pick “ideal woman” in beauty pageant

Turkish university proud to pick “ideal woman” in beauty pageant

The planned beauty contest has drawn harsh criticism from many quarters, as universities are considered to be academic institutions, not places where students should be judged on looks.

A private Turkish university is organizing a beauty pageant for students to select “the most ideal modern Turkish woman,” coming as a shock to many who think students should be judged on their academic merits rather than their physical appearance, Turkish dailies reported on Friday.

With the month of May, which marks the arrival of summer, approaching, universities have begun organizing spring festivals, including music and recreational events, to celebrate.

In a move to stage the most creative and original event, İstanbul-based Maltepe University has begun organizing a beauty pageant as part of its spring festivities scheduled to take place on May 11 in İstanbul.

Maltepe claims to be the first university to host a beauty contest with the slogan, “The first step to a successful career.”

Speaking to the Taraf daily, Özgü Kurt, an official from the university’s public relations department, said it was her idea to organize such an event, adding that Maltepe boasts very beautiful and well-educated women.

“Our aim is to select the most qualified young woman who will be able to represent modern Turkish women in the best way possible,” the university said on its website. “With this contest, we also aim to improve the self-confidence of our students by urging them to show moral courage,” it added.

The pageant is aimed at university students aged 16 to 26. Students from other universities are also welcome to attend the contest, Maltepe states. Applications will be accepted until May 5. The winner of the contest will be awarded a weeklong vacation package.

Academic success, posture, walking, grace, foreign language ability, career aspirations, talent and physical characteristics are among the criteria for judging set forth by the university.

The planned beauty contest has drawn harsh criticism from many quarters, as universities are considered to be academic institutions, not places where students should be judged on looks.

“Students should compete on an academic basis rather than on physical appearance,” Professor Tahsin Yeşildere, head of the Academics Association, told the Radikal daily.

“Beauty contests are degrading to women. Universities should be institutions that criticize these contests, not the ones organizing them,” Yeşildere said, expressing his dismay at the event organized by Maltepe University.

Cihan