The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (WiSTEM) under the auspices of the Vice-Chancellor has officially opened the maiden edition of the ‘STEM Camp for Girls’ Project. The three-day non-residential camp would see participants being mentored by WiSTEM members. They would also tour research centres, industrial sites and laboratories, as well as benefit from interactive sessions, talks and group assignments.
In her welcome address, Professor Mrs. Ibok Oduro, Provost of the College of Science, stated that STEM has been perceived as the preserve of boys and this has led to the paucity of females in career/leadership positions in STEM related disciplines. To this end, one hundred (100) female science students from selected senior high schools in the Kumasi Metropolis together with their tutors had converged for the event.
Professor Mrs. Oduro continued that the aim of the event was to stimulate the interest of the female students in studying STEM programmes as well as maintaining a career in STEM. She hoped participants would make use of the event to help realise the objective of the organisers.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, stated that the participants should deem their selection and participation in the event as a privilege and a great opportunity to aspire for more in education. He charged them to set their priorities right and to remember that they all have the potential to be great in future and to take up careers in STEM disciplines.
Dr. Emmanuel Adinkrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Internet Safety Foundation, in his presentation on the ‘Harm of Social Media and Useful Application of the Internet’ educated the participants on online safety and cautioned them on issues such as cyber bulling, online reputation, radicalisation, sexting and cybercrime. Dr. Adinkrah further advised the students against recent social media trend of nude videos.