Microsoft is out to inspire Secondary School girls with latest innovations in technology by organizing a DigiGirlz day today. 50 school girls attended this event. more information after the break.
MICROSOFT’S DIGIGIRLZ DAY INSPIRES SCHOOLS GIRLS TO CONSIDER HIGH-TECH CAREERS
Fifty school girls engage with Microsoft executives and female technology leaders at event where latest innovations in technology were showcased
Singapore, 16 September 2011 – Microsoft opened its Singapore campus today to fervent and enthusiastic secondary school girls to its first DigiGirlz Day in Singapore. The inaugural DigiGirlz Day aims to cultivate interest among females in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields locally. The half day event saw more than 50 school girls from 10 secondary schools immersing themselves in the latest innovations in technology and mingling with successful female technology leaders in Singapore.
DigiGirlz Day, which is part of Microsoft’s global DigiGirlz Program, represents Microsoft’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the pipeline of female talents in technology by exposing young women to the opportunities STEM fields can offer.
Tearing Down Gender Stereotype in STEM
DigiGirlz Day aims to dispel myths of what it means to have a career in the STEM fields and give participants a chance to experience first hand what it is like to develop cutting-edge technology. Microsoft hopes to significantly increase the number of young women involved in technology-focused careers, and to set an example for other corporations to pursue avenues of inclusion in the workplace.
While 51% of Singapore’s female population is in the workforce, only a small proportion of them are in high-tech industries. According to A*STAR in 2010[1], females make up only 31% of research scientists and engineers in Singapore. Additionally, a relatively small pool of females has actually taken up degrees in sciences and engineering in Singapore. For example, females made up approximately 20% of engineering graduates and about 36% of Information Technology graduates in 2010[2]. As such, Microsoft sees importance in nurturing female talents who are interested and passionate about technology in order to strengthen the pipeline of women in technology.
Jessica Tan, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore, said: “Microsoft has a slew of programs that help develop technology talents and enterprises in Singapore. However, we realize that more effort is needed to breakdown the stereotype that a technology education is just for boys. Through DigiGirlz, we hope to be showing to these girls that they will be getting an exciting education in the business of technology.”
A Day of Socializing and Digitalizing
At the first DigiGirlz Day in Singapore, students were exposed to various technologies through hands-on activities; including a hands-on session to develop an application for the Windows Phone 7 platform. The participants also had a session where they learnt to create games with the popular Xbox KINECT.
Microsoft executives also spoke to the audience on the evolution of technology, and touched on a topic close to many of these young individuals – the advent of social networking. These talks brought a different perspective to the students and their understanding of the STEM fields, where they learnt that the many gadgets and technologies available today would not have been possible without the efforts of STEM professionals.
Participants were able to glean some insights into working in the STEM fields from an active panel discussion involving Ms. Tan, as well as several female leaders from the local technology field; including Bernice Kwok, General Manager for Computers and Communications, Harvey Norman, Lilian Lam, Group General Manager of Harvey Norman and Grace Chng, Editor of Digital Life. The ladies shared their experiences with the participants in working in the STEM fields and engaged the school girls in a lively discussion, in which many of them wanted to know more about education and career opportunities in STEM.
Microsoft is committed to make DigiGirlz Day an annual event in Singapore. “We are happy to have these 50 school girls to join us today to learn more about the technology industry. We hope to reach out to more girls in our next year’s DigiGirlz Day,” Ms. Tan added.
# # #
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
[ad#img]
[ad#boxlist]