[PRESS RELEASE] COMMUNICATION EVENT STEMHERVN 2024

PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNICATION EVENT STEMHERVN 2024: PROMOTING FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN STEM FIELDS

Hanoi, February 24, 2025 – A communication and capacity-building event was held at Van Noi High School, Dong Anh District, Hanoi, aiming to encourage and promote efforts to break down gender barriers in the participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This event is one of the key activities within the framework of the STEMherVN 2024 project, implemented by the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), with the participation and support of 60 student ambassadors and high school students from the two major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

STEMherVN Communication Event: Women in STEM – Equally Creative

The project “Promoting the Participation of Girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” (STEMherVN) has been implemented by the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) since 2022, with the goal of inspiring and creating opportunities for female students to access education and pursue careers in STEM fields. In 2024, the STEMherVN project received financial support from the Qualcomm Foundation and MiTek Corporation.

According to UNESCO data in 2023, globally, less than 30% of women choose to study or work in STEM fields. In Vietnam, the proportion of women in this field is slightly higher, at around 37%, but still highlights a significant gender gap. Social stereotypes, limited access to resources, and a lack of inspirational role models remain challenges for female students in pursuing careers in science and technology. STEMherVN aims to change this reality by inspiring, providing opportunities, and supporting female students in pursuing their passion for STEM. Through communication activities, training, mentoring, and career guidance, the project seeks to break gender stereotypes, enabling women to confidently develop in STEM fields and contribute to social innovation and sustainable development.

As part of the STEMherVN 2024 communication event, female high school students were guided on career potential in STEM through inspiring stories. Additionally, the program shared learning experiences from senior university students, helping high school students gain a clearer understanding of study methods, skill development, and confidence-building in pursuing science and technology fields.

In her opening speech at the event, Ms. Dang Thi Yen, Principal of Van Noi High School, shared: “We hope this communication event will inspire and motivate students to orient themselves and choose suitable career paths. I hope that you – the students sitting here today – will embark on a meaningful journey, contributing to positive changes and gradually eliminating gender stereotypes that previous generations, like us, have not fully overcome. With support from the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), I hope today’s event will provide you with valuable perspectives…”

Ms. Dang Thi Yen – Principal of Van Noi High School giving the opening speech

Ms. Tran Van Anh, Deputy Director of the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD), shared the motivation and mission that the organization aims to achieve with the project while expressing gratitude to the school, ambassadors, and stakeholders for their joint efforts in promoting equal STEM education opportunities for women. Ms. Van Anh stated: “Recent research, including studies conducted by MSD, has shown that gender barriers remain significant challenges preventing female students from accessing and pursuing careers in STEM. Therefore, since 2021, STEMherVN has remained committed and dedicated to supporting, communicating, and educating so that girls, especially high school and university female students, can confidently challenge gender barriers, maximize their potential and passion in STEM fields, and become pioneers in changing community perceptions, inspiring the creation of an equitable educational and professional environment for all.”

Ms. Tran Van Anh, Deputy Director of MSD, engaging in discussions with Van Noi High School students

Representatives of the STEMherVN university and high school ambassadors also shared their journeys in STEM, affirming the role of support and proper guidance in helping female students confidently enter science and technology careers. At the event, university and high school ambassadors accompanying STEMherVN 2024 were awarded certificates, recognizing their role in spreading the project’s values to student communities nationwide.

MSD awarding certificates to university ambassadors of the STEMherVN 2024 project

Ms. Nghiem Thi Thu Ha, a student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and a STEMherVN University Ambassador, shared: “Being a University Ambassador and mentor for high school ambassadors in the STEMherVN project has been an incredibly meaningful and memorable experience for me. From the very beginning, I felt the dedication of the STEMherVN organizing team, MSD, and the strong connection with Van Noi High School, as well as the enthusiasm of the students (mentees). This motivated me to give my best to support them in their journey of self-discovery and development… I feel extremely proud to have contributed, even in a small way, to inspiring the younger generation, especially girls, to pursue STEM.”

Ms. Nghiem Thi Thu Ha, a student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology and a STEMherVN University Ambassador, delivered a positive message to students

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Truc and Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tram – two high school ambassadors from Van Noi High School – shared their thoughts on participating in the project: “Through STEMherVN, we not only hope to get closer to natural sciences and the subjects we are passionate about but also aspire to ignite the passion for science in other female students who have long harbored the desire but have yet to express it or step out of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams. We hope that in the future, we – those who have been fortunate to receive immense support from the project and encouragement from those around us – will be able to help more girls get closer to their dreams.”

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Truc and Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tram, STEMherVN high school ambassadors,

sharing their experiences in the project

The event also included various gender equality awareness activities. Notably, the “STEMherVN Challenge – Who’s Faster?” competition provided students with the opportunity to enhance their STEM knowledge through interactive questions and creative practice with ambassadors.

Van Noi High School students enthusiastically participating in the interactive game “STEMherVN Challenge – Who’s Faster?”

Through this event, the Management and Sustainable Development Institute (MSD) and the STEMherVN project aim to guide, connect, and expand opportunities for female students to pursue STEM fields. The STEMherVN communication event at Van Noi High School not only provided students with access to STEM education and career information but also contributed to raising awareness, promoting female participation, and gradually eliminating gender barriers in science and technology fields. This event is part of a long-term initiative to drive positive changes in gender equality in education and careers in Vietnam.