Kochi hosted a transformative seven-day WiSci (Women in Science) camp from June 2-8, 2024, welcoming 100 schoolgirls from India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United States. This in-person WiSci South Asia STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics) camp aimed to advance gender equality and promote STEAM education globally, as highlighted by the US Consulate General in Chennai.
Organized by “Girl Up,” a global leadership initiative founded by the United Nations Foundation, the camp received support from the US Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships, the US Consulate General Chennai, Rajagiri Business School in Kochi, and sponsors like the Caterpillar Foundation, Google, TE Connectivity Foundation, and United Airlines. The camp offered unique opportunities for leadership development, skills-building, mentorship, and networking in various STEAM fields.
At the closing ceremony, Dorothy McAuliffe, US State Department Special Representative for Global Partnerships, emphasized the importance of investing in girls’ education for economic empowerment. “We are proud to partner with Girl Up to support this impactful initiative,” she said.
US Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges inaugurated the camp, underscoring the US government’s commitment to Women in Science initiatives. He stated, “We are working with partners to create an empowering space for girls to excel as future experts in STEAM fields. These girls, the next generation of STEMinists, will succeed.”
Participants engaged in interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and discussions with industry experts, covering topics like climate science, women’s representation in aviation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. The camp facilitated career guidance and fostered cross-cultural connections among girls from the region.
Since 2015, WiSci STEAM Camps have trained over 1,100 girls from 34 countries, creating lifelong positive impacts in their communities.
Source: PTI
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