icipe scholars encourage schoolgirls on science careers

Nairobi, Kenya, 1 February 2015: Careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) have long been regarded as male dominated, and girls are often hesitant to study STEM courses at university.

To encourage girls to take up a career in science, postgraduate students from icipe joined a career awareness programme organised by ICT Mashinani Trust, a non-governmental organization that holds events and activities throughout the year to support, encourage and inspire young women and girls.

In February 2015, more than 400 schoolgirls from 10 high schools joined the event: “Preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s innovators”.

icipe postgraduate scholars Bridget Bobadoye, Elizabeth Kusia, Kevin Simbai and Linet Kitambe shared a few words about their work and icipe’s research, giving them a taste of the interesting life a scientist can lead. The girls were fascinated by what icipe does.

Representatives of Safaricom, the United States International University (USIU), Zetech College and the University of Nairobi also took part, helping to break the stereotype that STEM and courses and science careers are only for boys.