Review TechWomen program information regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).

TechWomenTechWomen

TechWomen is an Initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

  • Home
  • Program
    • Overview
    • 2019 Action Plans
    • Professional Development
    • Cultural Exchange
    • Delegation Trips
    • Impact
    • TechWomen Covid-19 Program Information
  • Participants
    • Eligibility and Application
    • The Experience
    • Award Details
    • 2022 Emerging Leader Profiles
  • Mentors
    • Why Mentor With TechWomen?
    • Professional Mentor Overview
    • Cultural Mentor Overview
    • Impact Coach Overview
    • TechWomen Mentor Application
  • Get Involved
    • Host an Emerging Leader
    • Host an Event
    • Other Ways to Get Involved
    • Host companies and partners
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Program Countries
    • Connect
  • FAQ
    • General
    • Participants
    • Mentors
  • Blog
  • Log In

Day 3 in Morocco: Building Global Networks with Women in Technology

March 13, 2014 By TechWomen Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, March 11, TechWomen traveled to Casablanca to participate in the Women Entrepreneurs in Technology Conference.  After a festive lunch at Rick’s Café, members of the delegation arrived at Technopark (an information technology business complex) to learn about rising startups, hear from leading enterprises, network with local female entrepreneurs.

The visit began with an introduction of the business complex by CEO Omar Balafrej (@OmarBalafrej), who discussed Technopark’s (@Technopark) excellence in fostering an innovative community within the STEM sector in Morocco. The complex houses 200 startups and small enterprises, and it has helped more than 600 companies establish themselves since Technopark’s inception in 2001. TechWomen was particularly interested to learn how the complex is open 24 hours a day, which gives female entrepreneurs the flexibility they need to succeed in a fast-paced field, while balancing personal responsibilities. Added to Technopark’s ease of access to finance, a supportive community, and local resources, the complex is an ideal location for entrepreneurs to spearhead new concepts and collaborate with fellow leaders in technology.

Following the introduction, the TechWomen delegation heard from Andrea Appell, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca. Appell discussed the country’s strong commitment to increasing access to STEM education for girls. Appell also shared the Consulate’s enthusiasm for the continued growth of technology careers for women, and how mentorship is vital in seeing this growth materialize. These invigorating remarks made the audience eager to hear from Moroccan entrepreneurs and learn more about unique enterprises based in Casablanca.

Appell was followed by Laila Miyara, President of Technopark-based business Association des Femme chefs d’Entreprises du Maroc (AFEM). Miyara discussed how AFEM works to support women in reaching their full potential in their respective professions. AFEM is the first venture capital firm for IT in Morocco, and it works to increase funding for startups to support growth. Funding is one of the biggest struggles for startups in the country, and AFEM provides female entrepreneurs with marketing resources, microloans, and advising to help their ideas come to fruition. Businesses like AFEM are key to building a strong base of female entrepreneurs in STEM, and many of the TechWomen delegates said they felt inspired by AFEM and Technopark’s commitment to providing a collaborative and supportive space for female professionals in these fields to succeed.

Zineb, Nezha, and Salima announce their eSTEM Morocco initiative.

Zineb, Salima, and Nezha announce their eSTEM Morocco initiative.

Next, Nezha Larhrissi (@NezhaLarhrissi), Salima Kaissi (@ksalima), and Zineb Rharrasse (@zineb_r), three Moroccan alumnae from the 2013 TechWomen program, launched eSTEM Morocco. eSTEM Morocco works closely with schools and local technology companies to create opportunities for girls to be hosted at these companies during school breaks for one-on-one mentorships with female professionals so that they can learn about the field, careers in STEM, and professional development. Audience members were excited about this venture, and many were eager to get involved.

TechWomen delegation members in a panel with Sheila Casey from the U.S. Department of State.

TechWomen delegation members in a panel with Sheila Casey from the U.S. Department of State.

Finally, TechWomen alumnae and mentors shared some of their experiences as technology professionals. Sheila Casey (@SheilaDCasey) from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State moderated the panel, and shared the impact that the TechWomen initiative has made to the overall growth of women in STEM worldwide. Additionally, program mentors and alumnae spoke about how TechWomen has made them more passionate about supporting global development of the field. Their collective advice to the audience was a fitting way end to the day at Technopark, and an excellent segue into the night’s networking event: foster entrepreneurship through collaboration, and pay it forward by mentoring fellow female professionals in STEM.

To learn more about the 2014 TechWomen Delegation Trip to Morocco, please follow @TechWomen and follow the #TWmorocco hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. 

We also encourage you to read the following blog posts about the trip:

  • Day 1 in Morocco: TechWomen Reconnect in Rabat
  • Day 2 in Morocco: TechWomen Visit Technopolis and the International University of Rabat

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Filed Under: 2013 Program, Alumnae, Conferences, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, STEM, Technology Tagged With: 2013 program, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, conference, Morocco, technology, Technopark

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 856 other subscribers

Recent Posts

  • TechWomen 2020-2021 fellows create impact through Professional Development Funds
  • #techwomen22 comes to a close: Pitch Day, Community Celebration and seed grant winners announced
  • Week four: pitch planning, inclusive leadership and giving back at Volunteer Day
  • Week three: the power of mentorship
  • #techwomen22 week two: mentorship, action planning and cultural exchange in the Bay Area

Categories

  • 2012 Program
  • 2013 Program
  • 2014 Program
  • 2015 Program
  • 2016 Program
  • 2017 Program
  • 2018 Program
  • 2019 Program
  • 2020 Program
  • 2022 (Fall) Program
  • 2022 program
  • Alumnae
  • Announcements
  • Application Tips
  • Central Asia
  • Conferences
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Delegation Trips
  • Emerging Leader Voices
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Girls Education
  • IIE
  • Impact
  • Lean In
  • Mentor Application
  • Mentoring Girls
  • Mentorship
  • Middle East and North Africa
  • Partnerships
  • Professional Development
  • Scholarship
  • Seed Grant
  • Solar Power
  • STEM
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Washington, D.C.

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011

Tags

2013 program 2014 program 2015 program Africa Alumnae application careers central asia Community cultural exchange Cultural Mentor delegation trips Education Egypt emerging leaders emerging women leaders Empowerment Entrepreneurship grace hopper celebration guest post impact Jordan kazakhstan Leadership MENA Mentor Mentors mentorship Middle East Morocco nigeria Rwanda San Francisco Silicon Valley south africa State Department STEM technology TechWomen TechWomen Alumni Tunisia U.S. Department of State Women women in tech womenintech

Blogroll

  • DipNote
  • E-Mediat
  • Fulbright mtvU Fellows
  • Fulbright Student Program
  • Gilman Program
  • Ibrahim Leadership and Dialogue Project Blog
  • IIE Opening Minds
  • Parallel Earth
  • TechGirls
  • Women’s Enterprise for Sustainability

CONTACT US | MEDIA | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Sitemap
Copyright © 2022 TechWomen | Site by MIGHTYminnow

   

Copyright © 2022 · TechWomen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.