The effects of COVID-19 are having a significant impact on the technology sector, affecting raw materials supply, disrupting the electronics value chain, and causing an inflationary risk on products. More positively, the disruption has caused an acceleration of remote working, and a rapid focus on evaluating and de-risking the end-to-end value chain.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic across the globe has changed how we live our lives and has caused a profound shift in human interactions with technology.
Technology has come to the rescue as the pandemic rages on;
it provides solutions for businesses, learning, shopping, entertainment,
payment and even healthcare.
These technological solutions are premised on the
application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
knowledge. Tools for teleconferencing, learning, e-commerce, payment and
medical care; research, testing, management and prevention are all examples of
the application of science in the fight against the pandemic. These solutions
are being driven by men and women in science.
Every year, the world celebrates women and girls in science
and this year is no different. The theme for this year’s International Women in
Science Day is ‘Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against
COVID-19’. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, women have played important
roles in the fight against the disease.
Sadly, studies show that the pandemic has negatively
impacted female scientists thereby exposing the gender disparities in the
scientific system.
There have been concerted efforts over the years to inspire
women and girls in science. However, research shows that the number of female
researchers worldwide is still less than 30 per cent.
While governments need to formulate policies that will help
change this disparity, it is important that organisations embark on initiatives
to support these efforts.
Tech companies across the globe are continually encouraging
women and girls in STEM. One of such companies in Nigeria is Interswitch.
It is a fact that there are few girls in secondary school
science classes and even fewer at the tertiary level.
To ensure a fair female participation during the
InterswitchSPAK National Science competition, participating schools are urged
to register at least two girls among their best six science students.
With continued emphasis on female students’ participation,
there was an 18% increase from the first edition to the second edition. The
inaugural edition of the competition had a 60% to 40% share of male to female
students. The year after, it was 50.9% male and 49.9% female students’
enrolment.
The InterswitchSPAK has its masterclass session where
successful individuals share their experiences and mentor the young students.
There is also the Innovation Challenge where the students, including the
females, are tasked to find technological solutions to societal challenges. The
Innovation Challenge allows the students to develop a sense of responsibility
towards finding solutions to the problems around them.
Members of the winning team from the Innovation Challenge
undergo internship at Interswitch with the tech experts to experience firsthand
how technology solutions are developed.
Issues worked on by the students over the years include public transportation, healthcare, and education as it relates to out-of-school children, agriculture, electoral processes and provision of financial services to unbanked Nigerians.
Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and GMD, Interswitch Group |
“As we celebrate our women and girls in science this year,
we acknowledge their strength and their contributions to the fight against
COVID-19. And we couldn’t be more resolved to support them,” says Cherry
Eromosele, Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Interswitch Group.
0 comments:
Post a Comment