The First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, has called on young girls to use technology and discover the tools needed to face the world’s challenges.

Video: First Lady closes 2015 Women in Science Summer Camp. Source: The New Times/YouTube

Mrs Kagame made the remarks, yesterday, while officiating at the closure of a three-week ‘Women in Science and Innovation’ (WiSci) Summer Camp, held at Gashora Girls’ Academy in Bugesera District.

A diverse group made of 120 female students from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States, took part in the challenging hands-on curriculum, taught by industry professionals on computer science, robotics, entrepreneurship and design.

"Do not be afraid to explore the world around you, in all its diversity and dynamism—what technology brings to us individually is the possibility of finding out who we are, more importantly, who we might be,” Mrs Kagame said.

"Keep using technology to unleash your talents. Be present, observant and sensitive to the needs in your community so as to create social change; be a pioneer, discover the tools needed to surprise the world. Go forth and shine girls,” she told the girls.

The Science and Innovation Summer Camp, which began on July 25, was designed to advance opportunities for girls in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmetics (STEM) fields.

Rwanda becomes the first country to host this all-girl technology camp thanks to the persistent efforts of the government in promoting STEM fields nationwide and viewing them as tools for sustainable development.

Among the key government initiatives aimed at promoting STEM is the One Laptop Per Child programme that has expanded knowledge for thousands of primary school children, by introducing technology into education at an early age.

The quest toward STEM

Available figures indicate that by 2013, 52 per cent of girls were enrolled in STEM courses at secondary school, and there is an increasing number of women who joined the air force and national airline (RwandAir) as pilots and engineers.

Over the last 10 years, 4,000 girls have been awarded for academic excellence, by the Imbuto Foundation, led by Mrs Kagame.

The First Lady said the statistics of women empowerment in Rwanda are a testament to the fact that the right environment exists for girls to blossom.

"What we see in Rwanda today is a heavy investment and a high level of commitment towards promoting girls education. Guided by our culture and the current leadership, we are sparing no effort in addressing all the dimensions of exclusion, which prevent girls from participating fully in every aspect of productive life. It is important to take a holistic approach when it comes to uplifting girls and women,” Mrs Kagame said.

She added that Rwanda was pleased to have hosted the first Women in Science and Innovation summer camp of its kind, noting that the camp comes as a timely complement and provides the country with new pathways for action in the area of STEM.

Participants also engaged in cross-cultural exchanges and enhanced their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. After the camp, these participants will continue to have access to mentorship and opportunities for professional development.

‘Stay connected’

Erica Barks-Ruggles, the US ambassador to Rwanda, challenged the girls to stay connected as the purpose of the camp was to adopt this network and use it to address global challenges.

"The United States is very proud to partner with Rwanda on this camp. This is a ground-breaking programme.

And we believe that when our daughters study together and move together they develop dreams that make our countries stronger,” the envoy said.

Amb. Barks-Ruggles challenged the girls to always remember the passion of science and technology the camp awakened in them.

"Let your brains work on the solutions to address the problems we shall be having in the future,” the US ambassador added.

Aline Uwase, 17, a senior five student at Gashora Girls Academy was part of the team that developed a fire outbreak sensor.

She said the camp went further to instill in her leadership skills which she would use to bring a change in her country.

"The knowledge we gained from here leaves us with the spirit of moving back to our respective communities and be the agents of a change we want,” said Uwase.

Sisipho Zinja, 17, from African Leadership Academy in South Africa, said the camp made her develop the smart-dustbin programme that would make South African cities cleaner.

"The smart-bin works in a way that when you drop trash in bin, you place the thumb on the sensor and our database will record you and you will be awarded by our partners who we are going to look for,” said Sisipho.

Video: Emotional moment as a Teenage Girl runs to the First Lady for a handshake. Source: The New Times/YouTube

WiSci is a public-private partnership led by the Office of Global Partnership (S/GP) of the US Department of State and part of the US First Lady’s ‘Let Girls Learn’ initiative, launched to open the doors of education for girls around the world. editorial@newtimes.co.rw