Women still account for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of graduates in computer science and informatics
For seven years, the UN has celebrated International Women and Girls in Science Day on February 11 to honor the worldwide contributions women are making in many different science disciplines. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.
Advancing women in science and gender equality are both vital in order to achieve the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are urgent calls for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.
La Fondation Dassault Systèmes is committed to achieving gender equality and directly supports the SDGs by partnering and supporting nonprofit programs globally that inspire girls and women and provide them access to pursue science careers by creating educational opportunities. As Marie Pierre Aulus, General Manager of La Fondation Dassault Systèmes shared, “It is essential to encourage girls to embrace careers in science, in the same way as boys, in order to contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive society. As a parent, as a role model, as a mentor, we all have a role to play in guiding and supporting girls in their education choices.”
In honor of International Women and Girls in Science Day 2022, La Fondation Dassault Systèmes recognizes three exceptional women on who partner with us to advance science education opportunities worldwide in robotics, general STEAM curriculum and industrial engineering.
Germany
Professor Dr. – Ing. Vera Hummel, Vice-Dean Research, Professor of Industrial Engineering, Smart Factory and Logistics, and head of the Werk150 learning factory at ESB Business School, Reutlingen University, Germany, partners with La Fondation for developing new lectures and seminars relating to “system supply chain management.” These teach female students the skills and competencies needed in supply chain management in a holistic and innovative way. Read her story here>
US
Joyce Sidopoulos, Electrical Engineer, Cornell University, Co-founder, Vice President Community & Programs at MassRobotics, runs the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program, with support from La Fondation. The program provides opportunities to diverse Boston high school girls to learn about careers in robotics and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals. The curriculum exposes young women from diverse communities to the many technical skills included in the robotics industry. Read her story here>
India
Ms. Arundhati Jadhav, Electrical Engineer and MIT Fab Academy certified, Innovation Hub In-Charge at the Muktangan Exploratory Science Center, Pune, leads an all-girl team in the Made in 3D – Seed the Future Entrepreneurs program. She also develops content for Atal Tinkering Labs, both supported by La Fondation Dassault Systèmes. Read her story here>
The UN invites you to join this important conversation using #WomenInScience.
About La Fondation
La Fondation Dassault Systèmes’ mission is to help schools, universities, research centers, museums and nonprofit organizations to push the limits of knowledge as well as to inspire young people with a passion for engineering, science and digital technology to create a better and more collaborative society. As part of this mission, it actively contributes to inventing new ways of sharing know-how and transforming learning practices that make it possible to detect new talents and help them achieve their dreams.
