MasterCard has launched a flagship programme tagged Girls4Tech.
Girls4Tech is the global e-payment giant’s signature education program to drive interest and encourage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers among girls, in the UAE.
The program is being rolled out at the Emirates Foundation Think Science Fair, an annual event held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, between 05 and 07 May 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Girls4Tech is a hands-on, inquiry-based program that connects the foundations of MasterCard’s business to STEM principles and shows students that it takes all kinds of interests and skills to pursue a STEM career.
The Girls4Tech curriculum is based on global science and math standards and was created in conjunction with MasterCard’s top engineers and technologists.
Students are invited to hone their skills at the three stations set up at the MasterCard stand: Cryptology, Digital Convergence and Algorithms.
MasterCard employees are serving as mentors and role models, and guide participants through various exercises.
“All children study science at school, but many find it difficult to relate what they’ve learnt to real life situations. We are excited to share our passion for technology with girls in the UAE and to expose them to careers they might not have previously considered,” said Susan Warner, vice president, Worldwide Communications, MasterCard. “The UAE is fast becoming a global hub of technology and innovation and offers an exciting range of career opportunities related to STEM fields. Our aim is to inspire young people to build their STEM skills and help them develop their problem-solving capabilities.”
Launched in April 2014, more than 300 girls have participated in the Girls4Tech workshops in the US, Germany and India.
In addition to the UAE, MasterCard is taking the program to the UK in 2015, with additional markets to follow.