The Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University organized a dialogue platform for girls and women in STEM with the participation of gender experts Tiffany Sprague, coordinator of the regional platform of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) STEM4ALL, and Gauhar Nursha, a specialist in gender issues of UNDP.
The moderator of the meeting, which was held on the basis of the University Business Skills Park, was a member of the Board – Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Temerbayeva Aizhan.
The invited experts presented to the participants’ attention the STEM4ALL platform, which was developed by UNDP and UNICEF to accelerate progress in the field of gender equality and increase the representation of women and girls in STEM sciences in order to successfully involve women in growing areas of industry and economic development.
The STEM4ALL platform provides an opportunity for girls and women to acquire skills that will help them in the implementation of personal and professional ideas, goals and objectives. The project provides mentoring, expansion of high-quality networking around the world, close interaction of the program participants in the exchange of experience and knowledge, provision of trainings in popular areas.
During the meeting, the participants raised topical issues of gender equality, including the definition of discrimination, the need to solve problems of bias in order to create comfortable and safe conditions. The speakers gave examples and facts of the manifestation of bias and explained why it is important to take the necessary measures to normalize the culture of bias. The university students showed active participation, interest, and received answers to their questions.
In conclusion of the meeting the speakers thanked the participants for the open dialogue, reached an agreement with the leadership of Saginov Technical University in the implementation of the project on gender policy in STEM together with the UN and UNDP which, in turn, will provide new opportunities for girls and women of the university.
