Promoting women’s education in science

Academics have suggested promoting women's education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), highlighting the rising demands of technology-based solutions to the problems the world faces today.

They said research found both men and women have equal capacities in STEM. To some extent, women have more capabilities in arts, so can better solve problems when they have STEM education.

The observations came yesterday during the launch of a two-year project "Strengthening US-Bangladesh Sustainable Relationship by Developing Student-centered STEM Education," a US Embassy-funded project in partnership with local NGO Education and Cultural Society.

The project will encourage female participation in STEM fields by targetting outreach to university-age students, organising nationwide STEM competitions, and training teachers to be STEM educators, said a statement of the US Embassy. 

Nationwide STEM competitions will engage young women and girls, especially from ethnic minority communities in Bangladesh, the statement added.

Addressing the event at Dhaka's BRAC Centre Inn, US Ambassador Earl R Miller said he recognises the contributions of women in different sectors in Bangladesh and around the world.

Prof Shamsher Ali, former president of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, said a major challenge for science education in Bangladesh is that the teachers don't demonstrate the practicality of science education.