Impact Stories from Professional Growth Policy Area
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
CEO of Technopark
Fellow(s): Lamiae Benmakhlouf
Country: Morocco
Cohort: 2016
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
Technopark promoted Lamiae Benmakhlouf, 2016 fellow of Morocco, to CEO, making her the first female to assume this position. Lamiae credits her participation in the TechWomen program with playing a major role in her promotion.Lamiae joined the company in 2002 shortly after it launched and previously served as the Deputy Director. The incubator helps create and develop Moroccan businesses in the ICT and green technology fields and has supported close to 800 companies in Casablanca.
Read More »
Report Date...: 10/31/2016
Professorship
Fellow(s): Darya Alontseva
Country: Kazakhstan
Cohort: 2015
Policy Area(s): Professional Growth
The Ministry of Education and Science in Kazakhstan awarded Darya Alontseva, 2015 fellow of Kazakhstan, the academic title, “Full Professor of Physics,” in late April, fulfilling one of her professional development goals.Kazakhstan has rather strict rules; only people within an academic environment who publish scientific articles in previewed journals, who have created their own scientific school, etc. receive the title of Full Professor.
Report Date...: 7/11/2016
