Impact Stories from Professional Growth Policy Area
Creating a Path to the Future
Fellow(s): Salwa Campbell, Magdalene Peters
Country: Sierra Leone
Cohort: 2015, 2016
Policy Area(s): Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
In February 2017, Sierra Leonean fellows, Salwa Campbell and Magdalene Peters , launched a mentorship program for girls at the Annie Walsh Memorial School in Freetown. The program, Creating a Path to the Future, will reach 400 secondary school girls and provide them with opportunities to discover their potential during a six-month mentorship. The group mentorship will focus on networking, knowledge and skill transfer, career development, professional development and situational guidance. Salwa says “Young girls have the potential to demonstrate a positive identity when they have a sense of personal well-being and a sense of connection and commitment to others. When they gain knowledge, skills and attitude, they demonstrate an ability that prepares them for the future.”
Report Date...: 2/20/2017
Arabnet Beirut Conference
Fellow(s): Rayan Al Zahab
Country: Lebanon
Cohort: 2016
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
On February 20, Rayan Al Zahab, 2016 fellow of Lebanon, presented at the 2017 Arabnet Beirut Conference, which took place at the Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand Hotel from February 20-22. Considered one of the leading conferences on digital business in the Middle East, the conference brought together more than 1,300 attendees, including business executives, leaders in marketing, entrepreneurs and investors. Speakers discussed the latest trends in the digital sector, as well as opportunities available for companies working in the field.
Report Date...: 2/20/2017
Women in Data Science Conference
Fellow(s): Sukaina Al Nasrawi, Maysoun Ibrahim, Nisreen Deeb, Reine Hanna and Sarah Abdallah
Country: Lebanon
Cohort: 2011, 2013, 2016
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
Lebanese fellows Sukaina Al Nasrawi (2011), Maysoun Ibrahim (2011), Nisreen Deeb (2013), Reine Hanna (2016) and Sarah Abdallah (2016) attended the Women in Data Science Conference hosted by Stanford University on February 3, 2016 at the American University of Beirut.The conference took place at more than 75 locations worldwide and allowed attendees to discover the most recent data science-related research. It also served as a networking opportunity to support women working in the field.
Report Date...: 2/13/2017
Advanced Digital Changemaking
Fellow(s): Sophie Ngassa
Country: Cameroon
Cohort: 2014
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
Sophie Ngassa, 2014 fellow of Cameroon, was selected as one of 30 change makers from all over the world to participate in World Pulse’s training program, Advanced Digital Changemaking. World Pulse connects thousands of people from across the globe on their social network site to drive women’s equality. For three months, she will develop her digital skills to advance her vision for a society that supports women’s active engagement in STEM through a free, online course. “I am so proud of the World Pulse organization for helping women to make their dream a reality. Thanks for putting wings on my vision,” Sophie said.
Report Date...: 2/13/2017
Google Developers Group
Fellow(s): Rayan Al Zahab
Country: Lebanon
Cohort: 2016
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
Rayan Al Zahab, 2016 fellow of Lebanon, announced the launch of the first Google Developer Group in Lebanon on January 21. The groups are for developers who are interested in Google’s developer technology, including Android, Chrome, Drive, etc. Rayan founded her own company in March 2016 after working as a software developer for over seven years. Her startup BambooGeeks organizes coding boot camps to prepare new programmers for the workforce. She plans to hold monthly meetings to discuss technology and organize events powered by Google with access to the latest technologies, materials, events .
Report Date...: 1/30/2017
STEM workshop
Fellow(s): Mercy Sosanya, Chioma Ezedi
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2015, 2016
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
Nigerian fellows Mercy Sosanya and Chioma Ezedi organized a STEM workshop for teachers on January 14 at the American Corner in Bauchi. Twenty-five teachers from eight schools attended the workshop. Mercy said, “I introduced the teachers to the concept of STEM, showcasing the amazing things young people are doing through STEM and how teachers could be better role models for their students in the STEM fields.” During the workshop, Chioma shared anecdotes from her TechWomen experience and encouraged the attendees to apply for the 2017 Technovation Challenge. She also presented her initiative, STEMteers, which aims to increase interest in STEM among students through the use of volunteers.
Report Date...: 1/16/2017
Queen's Young Leader Award
Fellow(s): Kumba Musa
Country: Sierra Leone
Cohort: 2015
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
Kumba Musa, 2015 fellow of Sierra Leone, was one of 60 individuals who received the Queen’s Young Leader Award on November 30. The award recognizes and honors people aged 18-29 from Commonwealth countries who are transforming their communities for the better and working towards social change. In April 2016, Kumba founded the nonprofit organization STEM Women to increase the participation of women in STEM and improve Sierra Leone’s science and technology-related education.
Report Date...: 12/5/2016
doITwomen
Fellow(s): Shodiyabegim Bakhtiyorzoda
Country: Uzbekistan
Cohort: 2015
Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Professional Growth
Shodiyabegim Bakhtiyorzoda, 2015 fellow of Uzbekistan, recently launched doITWomen, an initiative for women in her home country. The social project aims to help females who are on maternity leave, retired or have limited access and knowledge of computers by teaching them about computers, the internet, Microsoft products and programming.
Report Date...: 7/25/2016
Pink iT Women Empowerment Program
Fellow(s): Abiola Ilupeju
Country: Nigeria
Cohort: 2015
Policy Area(s): Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Growth
Abiola Iluipeju, 2015 fellow of Nigeria, launched the Pink IT Women Empowerment Program in October for women in Lagos. The initiative, which is sponsored by US Consulate, provides a free 16-week training on software development and entrepreneurship, followed by a six-week internship at a software development company. . “It is our desire to bring about the next big thing in Nigerian Software industry by empowering our women to be the Game Changers,” the project’s website states.
Read More »Report Date...: 11/21/2016
Presidential Award
Fellow(s): Elmira Akmatova
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Cohort: 2015
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
The President of Kyrgyzstan recognized Elmira Akmatova at an award ceremony for scientists on November 8. She was awarded the Kyrgyz Republic State Prize Laureate in Science and Technology for her achievements in the field and her paper on “biotechnology diagnostic tools for infectious animal diseases from domestic strains.” Elmira currently works as the Acting Deputy Director of the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Veterinary Institute.
Report Date...: 11/7/2016
