Congo/Training: female students strengthen their scientific skills

Fifteen female students in Bachelor 3 and Master 1 programs at Marien-Ngouabi and Denis-Sassou-N'Guesso universities took part in the first edition of the "Bootcamp for scientific girls" training camp for young scientific girls, held in Brazzaville from July 30 to August 1, under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation.

The first edition of the "Bootcamp for scientific girls" integrates awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for young girls in the science professions. Theoretical work with practical case studies focused on renewable energies, digital sciences, innovative entrepreneurship and fund-raising, among other topics.

"The aim was to provide the selected female students with a lasting knowledge base that would complement their initial course of study, and help them to remain in the scientific professions for the long term, in all their diversity. "Véronique Douniama, a lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Université Marien-Ngouabi, read out the final report of the bootcamp organized by the national section of the Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World.

The girls who benefited from this training came out of it more fulfilled, with new horizons in mind. " We had an exceptional experience that cultivated the scientific spirit in us, according to the different profiles of each of us", explained Sagesse Pandi Tchicaya, one of the participants. She also emphasized that the experience reinforced their choice of science by changing their perception of the prejudices encountered in academic life as young female scientists.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation organized the first edition of this science boot camp with the support of the US Embassy. " We are committed to creating an ecosystem for an inclusive and diverse scientific community through this kind of initiative" , according to Eric Elliot, Public Affairs Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Congo. According to the diplomat, the aim is to create the conditions that will enable Congolese youth, particularly women, to make a significant contribution to the community.

We must dare

In her closing remarks at the bootcamp, the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, Pr Delphine Edith Emmanuel, spoke of the triptych: regroup-oser-support. This was her way of stressing the need to bring together more young girls and women of science, who in turn must dare to make their mark in scientific fields. Support, like that provided by the US Embassy and Unesco, among others, means that partners can make their contribution to the project.

Source: www.adiac-congo.com