Samsung, foundation in science-for-girls drive
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has teamed up with China Women’s Development Foundation (CWDF) to cultivate female scientific talent.
The program, “Samsung STEM Girls”, focuses on improving students’ leadership and innovative capacities by utilizing the international advanced courses and training in STEM, an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In doing so, Samsung hopes to cultivate women scientists who can lead in the future with confidence and creativity.
STEM education is part of an inter-disciplinary approach that has become a regular part of school programs in developed countries. It aims to promote students’ comprehensive understanding in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to improve their ability to discover and solve problems.
A total of 1,000 girls aged 12 to 16 who meet the recruitment requirements will take part in the project after faceto-face and remote interviews. They will receive online tutoring with professional mentors and take a series of courses, and will receive a comprehensive assessment at program’s end.
Moreover, these candidates have the opportunity to participate in innovative workshops on a variety of topics, including sustainable development, advanced training camps, innovative leadership exchanges and visits to hightech companies.
Finally, 12 students will be selected for innovative activities related to public welfare projects, participate in international summits and forums, and communicate with scientific and technological giants, Nobel Prize winners and innovative pioneers.
“Gender equality is an important content of the United Nations’ sustainable development goal. Women, who account for half of the population, are both builders and creators of the new era, and also a precious resource that cannot be ignored by the development of science and technology and innovation-driven development,” said Meng Xiaosi, member of the 12th Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and director-general of the CWDF.
“We must introduce the gender equality consciousness into basic and science education starting from the girls, letting the girls enjoy equal education opportunities and cultivating their innovative abilities,” Meng said.
Hwang Deuk-kyu, president of Samsung China, said: “We hope that more and more women with an international vision, leadership spirit and innovation capability, pay attention to technology in this new era and realize their important positions in the whole society.”
Established in December 1988, the CWDF is a nationwide nonprofit social welfare organization registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
It has been dedicated to improving quality of life for women, maintaining women’s legal rights, promoting the development of women in the workplace and collecting funds and materials for women’s causes from domestic and international enterprises.