More women needed in STEM
Namibian Universities promoting the I]industry
In the past only destined for men, the industries of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are now available to everyone.
“STEM is the abbreviation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths,” explained Ilana Malan, junior lecturer at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST).
“The fields are often associated due to the similarities they share both in theory and practice. To be able to study one of the subjects in this area, you have to have good grades in natural science classes at school,” she said.
For those who want to study in this field, NUST provides the InSTEAM (Introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) bridging programme. “It concentrates on mathematics, physics and chemistry with biology also as an elective,” said Malan.
“The function of this programme is to assist students in improving their marks in the aforementioned subjects to provide them with an opportunity to apply to STEM programmes at NUST.”
The programme runs for a year. Students who complete the InSTEM bridging programme are eligible for admission to undergraduate programmes in STEM, depending on the specific requirements of relevant universities.
Women especially are underrepresented in STEM. “Women make up roughly 30% of the workforce in STEM-related professions and men outnumber the women majoring in STEM fields in tertiary institutions. In fields like computer and engineering, there is a large gender gap which can only be addressed by giving opportunities to females to find a path into STEM fields,” Malan said.
In 2019 the “Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World” established a Chapter at the University of Namibia in Windhoek.
Among its objectives are promoting girls’ participation in STEM; organising workshops and an annual conference for women in STEM in the country; establishing a mentorship programme to link women scientists both locally and internationally; creating a database of women in STEM fields in the country; and disseminating information about opportunities for girls and women in STEM.
“The fields are often associated due to the similarities they share both in theory and practice. To be able to study one of the subjects in this area, you have to have good grades in natural science classes at school,” she said.
For those who want to study in this field, NUST provides the InSTEAM (Introduction to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) bridging programme. “It concentrates on mathematics, physics and chemistry with biology also as an elective,” said Malan.
“The function of this programme is to assist students in improving their marks in the aforementioned subjects to provide them with an opportunity to apply to STEM programmes at NUST.”
The programme runs for a year. Students who complete the InSTEM bridging programme are eligible for admission to undergraduate programmes in STEM, depending on the specific requirements of relevant universities.
Women especially are underrepresented in STEM. “Women make up roughly 30% of the workforce in STEM-related professions and men outnumber the women majoring in STEM fields in tertiary institutions. In fields like computer and engineering, there is a large gender gap which can only be addressed by giving opportunities to females to find a path into STEM fields,” Malan said.
In 2019 the “Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World” established a Chapter at the University of Namibia in Windhoek.
Among its objectives are promoting girls’ participation in STEM; organising workshops and an annual conference for women in STEM in the country; establishing a mentorship programme to link women scientists both locally and internationally; creating a database of women in STEM fields in the country; and disseminating information about opportunities for girls and women in STEM.
Kommentaar
Republikein
Geen kommentaar is op hierdie artikel gelaat nie