By Joanne Liou, Communications and Impact Specialist
The time spent in Almaty and Astana had been rich with exchange, professionally and culturally, as delegates met with Kazakhstan’s leaders, entrepreneurs, students and teachers. Many of the events, workshops and training sessions were planned in partnership with in-country fellows, the U.S. Consulate in Almaty and the U.S. Embassy in Astana. Throughout the week, the delegation reached more than 800 women, men and girls representing a variety of fields.
On the last day of the delegation, the group spent time with the Kazakh-Turkish Lyceum for Girls, a boarding school with more than 300 students aged 12-15 years old. The delegation received a warm welcome before meeting with classrooms to learn about the students’ career interests and share their personal and professional experiences.
Music by Kazakh-Turkish Girls Lyceum in #Astana. Talented future leaders and #WomenInSTEM. #TWkz @USembassyAstana pic.twitter.com/h1p8J4PErX
— TechWomen (@TechWomen) March 18, 2016
It’s a myth that boys are better at math and science. -Geologist Maile of Northgate Environmental Mgmt #TWkz pic.twitter.com/Voe3kHSh7F
— TechWomen (@TechWomen) March 18, 2016
.@julialovin1 of @PrysmInc shares how she became a beekeeper #TWkz #exchangeourworld pic.twitter.com/2poOmbASFA
— TechWomen (@TechWomen) March 18, 2016
Tour of Astana
TechWomen delegates met with representatives of Expo Women and the Green Technology Park to learn more about Expo 2017: Future Energy, followed by a tour of Kazakhstan’s space center for a guided tour and presentation on the center’s activities.
#techwomen visit the #Kazakhstan Space Center, where women make up 33% of employees #TWkz pic.twitter.com/Bc07luu1Fy
— TechWomen (@TechWomen) March 18, 2016
Mentors and fellows expressed great appreciation for the time to get to know each other and build fruitful relationships beyond the October program. These valuable relationships cultivated through TechWomen have resulted in ongoing collaborations and exchange of ideas to support fellows’ initiatives and success in their respective countries. “I learned a lot; it was a good opportunity to get to know mentors,” Shodiyabegim Bakhtiyorzoda, 2015 fellow of Uzbekistan, said. “I believe this connection is more stronger and personalized… I discussed many career and professional issues and got much advice and support.”
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