Yesterday, the UTM Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications (FET) inaugurated the “Gender Equality in STEM” Summer School. This notable initiative, organized by FET-UTM in collaboration with UN Women, is part of the “EVOLVE4GE – Accelerating Gender Equality by Empowering Women through Economic Opportunities, Combating Violence, and Gender-Sensitive Governance” project. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women Moldova.
The main goal of the Summer School is to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in engineering and technical fields. This initiative targets high school students aged 15 to 19 and aims to inspire and encourage girls to pursue careers in engineering, while emphasizing the significance of gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
In the opening speech, Associate Professor Dr. Lilia SAVA, Dean of the UTM Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications, highlighted the vital role of the Summer School:
“We are delighted to have 25 talented young people from the Republic of Moldova and Ukrainian refugees with us, united by the common goal of exploring and learning together. This camp is more than just an educational event; it is a unique opportunity to discover each of your extraordinary potentials and to learn from inspiring mentors in the STEM field. We aim to promote equal participation of girls and boys, organize awareness sessions and debates, and provide success models to motivate you. You will have the chance to develop practical skills in electronics and telecommunications through engaging workshops and visits to industry companies. With interactive activities, stimulating projects, and inspiring presentations, we seek to create an energizing and captivating learning environment. We hope to strengthen your teamwork skills and spirit of collaboration, promoting values of mutual respect and cooperation. Through these experiences, we hope to spark your interest and passion for STEM and prepare you for future career opportunities in this dynamic field. We wish you great success and invite you to make the most of every moment of this extraordinary experience!”
Participants were also greeted by prominent figures, including Professor Dr. habil. Vasile TRONCIU, Vice-Rector of the Technical University of Moldova; Tatiana UDREA, Program Coordinator for Women’s Economic Empowerment at UN Women Moldova; and Evghenia HIOREA, Program Officer for Social Protection, Health, and Gender at the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, who emphasized the importance of equal involvement of girls and boys in such activities.
Over the course of 10 days (June 17-28), participants will benefit from a comprehensive and engaging experience. The program includes both theoretical and practical sessions, networking activities, and inspirational visits to top companies in the field. The activities are structured as workshops coordinated by faculty and educational partners and are divided into several modules:
Module 1: Promoting Gender Equality in STEM
- A workshop dedicated to familiarizing young people with the concept of gender equality and its importance in electronics and telecommunications.
Module 2: Design and Construction of Electronic Devices
- A workshop where participants will design and build electronic devices such as remotely controlled lights, simple robots, or environmental sensors.
Module 3: Emerging Technologies
- A workshop on virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), exploring their potential and applications in daily life and various industries.
Module 4: Designing the Future
- Modern technological solutions applied in electronic communications.
Each group of 25 students will also have four visits to relevant companies and institutions, including SA Moldcell, SA Moldtelecom, Star Net SRL, Gilat Satellite Networks Moldova, and the UTM Astronomical Observatory.
The “Gender Equality in STEM” Summer School is a valuable initiative that promotes gender equality and encourages young people to explore and pursue careers in engineering. Through its rich program and experienced mentors, this project inspires participants to follow their passions and reach their full potential in STEM fields.
