'Round table discussion on women in STEM: Perspectives, Challenges & Prospects' held on 10th of January 2018 at Software Technology Park, Janata Tower, Kawran Bazar in celebration of Computer Science Week. Around 20 disguised discussants from different university, government body, private sector and industry took part in the discussion and explored insightful ways, strategies and the potentials of bringing women in STEM in Bangladesh.

The session starts with the Key note presentation by Dr. Samina M. Saifuddin, an Assistant Professor of Management, Department of Business Administration, Morgan State University, Baltimore. In her presentation, she mostly presented the results and outcomes of her three studies, among many of working with girls and women in STEM area and shared her insights with the room. Her research finds that one of the biggest challenges of Bangladeshi women face is the lack of family support and encouragement. She is optimistic that upon solving this issue, she said, we can inspire more girls and women in STEM.

The Honorable minister for Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Mr. Mustafa Jabbar graced the session as Chief Guest. In his discussion, he pointed out to ensure an equal participation of women in STEM. He said without involving women in STEM areas, the holistic changes is not possible at all.

Among other some of the quotes are presented here:

Shahadat Khan, CEO, Sure Cash

STEM is a very aggressive industry and we can break this radically. #missingdaughter needs to go to the local areas, work collaboratively with the industry, set policy to bring more girls and women in STEM.

Tamanna Motahar, Faculty, North South University

230 team registrations so far at ICPC contest. Women are reluctant to participate in the common programs as they have lack in confidence for fear of loosing status for foolish statement in the classroom. We started only-for-women programs, workshop on Big Data and coding. We are yet to launch a robotics club very soon. If we can get them involved with opportunity, they can do a much better and compete with men.

She also stated that programming is not only for the nerd people, it can also bring fun and joy.

Iffat Kazi, Senior Principal, Engineer, Oracle Corporation

The scenario comparatively was much different and difficult than today. Now, women are getting support from their peers but in our age, this scenario was not like as of today. There are some overall issues available in the world regarding the women’s participation in the STEM but with effort and aim, we can overcome this easily.

Mike Kazi, CEO, Kazi IT

We have set an example of encouraging women and girls to work at night shift as well. So, nothing is impossible if we work to achieve it. We must also consider the rural girls and work for them. For underprivileges women students, we can take sponsorship and raise them with enough scopes and opportunities to set their career in STEM in Bangladesh.

Mst. Shahnaj Parvin, Chairperson, Department of CSE, Central Women’s University

Being a girls-only university, we have the scopes to see it in a different way. For example, out university is at old Dhaka and families living there have a very conservative attitude towards sending their daughter to take part in any challenging job or area. Even, often we find them reluctant to send their girls to attend the session or workshop even it is in Dhanmondi or some other area. Thus, we should aware and educate the parents to create a congenial environment for girls and women in the STEM subjects.

Dr. Lafifa Jamal, Chairperson, Department of Robotics & Mechatronics Engineering, University of Dhaka-RMEDU

Days have been changed when a baby girl would spend time playing with dolls. But, this has changed a lot now. So, if we can facilitate education in a fairly distribution, we can elevate girls’ participation in STEM if we get government intervention. Government’s programs also are helping to promote girls and women in STEM.

The session was moderated by Munir Hasan, General Secretary of Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN). 25 media and around 20 audiences were present at this round table discussion.

CSE Week is jointly being celebrated by ISOC. The Gold Sponsor of the celebration is ADN group, Silver Sponsor is Leadsoft, Bronze Sponsor is Sure Cash & DohaTech and laptop partner Del

Participants attended the round table discussion:

Mustafa Jabbar,Minister for Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology

Samina M. Saifuddin, Assistant Professor of Management, Department of Business
Administration, Morgan State University, Baltimore

Iffat Kazi, Senior Principal, Engineer, Oracle Corporation

Luna Shamsuddoha, President, BWIT

Rashid Kamal, Editor & Publisher, CNWES

Shaikh Abdul Aziz, Chairman, Leads Corporation Limited

Sirajul Hossain, CEO, Dnet

Humaira Chowdhury, Managing Director, Frontier Technology Limited

Shahadat Khan, CEO, Sure Cash

Rashed Kamal, Editor, CNEWS

Tamanna Motahar, Faculty, North South University

Lafifa Jamal, Chairperson, Department of Robotics & Mechatronics
Engineering, University of Dhaka-RMEDU

Munir Hasan, General Secretary, Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN)

Mst. Shahnaj Parvin, Chairperson, Department of CSE, Central Women’s University

Mohammad Kawsar Uddin, General Secretary, ISOC