The female Lecturers of C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) under the umbrella of WiSTEM and support from University Management under the CKT-UTAS Community Impact Programme organised a day’s workshop for girls in the University’s catchment area on Friday, 14th August 2020.
The objective of this initiative is to increase the interest of the girl child in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Northern Ghana and the Country as a whole.
The programme was patronised by 124 girls between the ages of 7 and 19 years from Primary 2 to SHS 2. Participants came from Navrongo Township, Doba, Kandiga, Korania, Chuchuliga and Bolgatanga.
In her welcome address, the President of WiSTEM CKT-UTAS, Dr Mary-Magdalene Pedavoah, encouraged young girls to take advantage of the mentorship opportunities made available by WiSTEM to take up STEM careers and become part of the success stories of women in STEM. She was hopeful that the programme would have a long-term impact on boosting enrollment and retention of girls in the University. She further urged all stakeholders to support the mentorship agenda by WiSTEM in attaining SDG 4 and 5, which are aimed at ensuring that all school children, including girls get the best of education and are not discriminated against.
Prof Stephen B. Twum, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eric Magnus Wilmot and the Interime Patron of WiSTEM, Dr.V. A. Ankamah-Lomotey, (Registrar of CKT-UTAS), emphasised the University Management’s passion for the programme and commended the organisers of the programme. He said that the University would organise more of such programmes to boost enrollment of girls in the various academic programmes of the University. He further urged the girls to be ambassadors of STEM and let their communities know of what is happening in CKT-UTAS.
The occasion was also graced with the presence of the Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FAS), Dr. Samson A. Abagale and several Heads of Departments of the University.
During the group-interaction session, the girls had the opportunity to interact with the female lecturers. They were also taken through activities to boost their interest in STEM courses.