Kochi has emerged as a hub for progressive education by hosting a seven-day WiSci (Women in Science) camp, bringing together 100 schoolgirls from India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United States. The in-person WiSci South Asia STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Design, and Mathematics) camp, held in June, had the goal of promoting gender equality in STEAM fields. This initiative was announced by the US Consulate General Chennai in a press release.
Conducted under the umbrella of 'Girl Up,' a UN Foundation initiative promoting global leadership, the camp provided exclusive chances for leadership development, mentorship, and skill enhancement. The participants gained valuable networking opportunities across diverse STEAM disciplines, as outlined in the press release. ''By providing adolescent girls with transferable leadership tools and training, these camps aim for participants to realize their full potential in becoming leaders in their communities, not just in STEAM but across all disciplines'', the statement read.
The program, which was developed in collaboration with the US Department of State's Office of Global Partnerships, the US Consulate General Chennai, and stakeholders like the Rajagiri Business School in Kochi, was supported by major entities, including the Caterpillar Foundation, Google, TE Connectivity Foundation, and United Airlines.
During the camp's concluding ceremony, Dorothy McAuliffe, the US State Department Special Representative for Global Partnerships, underscored the significance of investing in girls' education to drive global economic empowerment. Chris Hodges, the US Consul General Chennai, who inaugurated the camp on June 2, highlighted the US government's dedicated support for Women in Science initiatives, emphasizing their beneficial outcomes. Interactive workshops and hands-on activities led by industry experts provided young participants with valuable insights and motivation to make a difference in the STEAM field. According to Melissa Kilby, CEO of Girl Up, the camp epitomized a commitment to empowering young women in STEAM by equipping them with essential skills and confidence.
Significantly, the camp's schedule included essential STEAM subjects like climate science, artificial intelligence, and the involvement of women in aviation, facilitating interactions between campers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, as stated in the release. These STEAM initiatives aimed to foster cross-cultural bonds among the South Asian participants, enriching their professional opportunities and societal contributions. Since 2015, more than 1,100 girls from 34 nations have received training at WiSci STEAM Camps worldwide, catalyzing enduring positive changes within their communities.
