Academics of Bangladesh and the US 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 during the launching program 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 (ECS).
The project will encourage female participation in STEM fields by targetting outreach to university-age students (18-25), organizing nationwide STEM competitions, and training teachers to be STEM educators, said a statement of the US Embassy.
Over 800 female STEM instructors across all eight divisions will receive training to help teach more effectively and on how to mentor women, girls, and other minority community members about STEM careers. 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 recognizes 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.
“As a result, students cannot relate the classroom education to real life. Thus, they cannot gain a full grip on the subjects,” he said, stressing more on teacher training in science education.
ECS Executive Director Kazi Nasrin Siddiqa also spoke at the event.
The Strengthening US-Bangladesh Sustainable Relationship by Developing Student-centered STEM Education project is one of the embassy’s initiatives to strengthen and expand people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the US and Bangladesh. ♦
