USIU-Africa to introduce seven IT related programs to push uptake of STEM Careers

This was said by USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor, Prof Paul Zeleza during a Tech Women conference held at USIU-A where he pointed out the institution’s deliberate investments in STEM careers.

The new degree programs to be introduced will include Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Data Mining, Computer Gaming, Software Engineering, Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Bio-Technology in Analytical Chemistry.

The move is part of the institution’s 2015-2020 strategic plan.

“We will invest heavily in STEM Careers because we understand and believe that STEM is important to train our students in because it is imperative for the development the sustainable innovative integrated development,” added Mr. Zeleza.

Speaking on the uptake of STEM Careers in USIU-A, Mr. Zeleza pointed out that a close study of student enrollment in USIU-A for 2016 showed that female students are the majority in the institution actually 52% of the total population.

But the problem was that the female students were more inclined in social sciences averaging to 66% of the students in social sciences as opposed to 34% of their male counterparts.

“This trend escalates up to the graduation level. In the school of science and technology. We have low enrollment of female students at 32% as against to 68% of male students. We are therefore mindful of the need to change this gender imbalance,” he added.

According to a study by United Nations, in 14 countries the probability of female students graduating with Bachelors’ degree, Masters or Doctorate in science related fields are 18% and 2% respectively while that of the male students stands at 37% and 18% and 6% respectively.

This shows that the rate at which women taken IT related courses is low compared to men, therefore there is need to encourage our women to engage in STEM.

To ensure women succeed in these careers Prof. Zeleza called on universities to engage more with the key players in the industry so as to understand their expectations from the STEM students and the institutions, on the other hand, can prepare the students to meet those expectations.

He further stated, “From an early age female students should be exposed and trained in STEM careers and in a well rounded curriculum and nurtured to take them up as careers. Women should be made to understand that they can excel in these careers, beating the perception that this careers are male dominated.”

“Mentorship from men and women excelling can also act as motivation to those currently pursuing STEM Courses,” he concluded.