CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership
STEM/STEAM WEBINAR SERIES
FEATURED AND SUBJECT MATTER PRESENTERS
The CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership continues to invite speakers to present at the webinars, primarily, professionals in Science, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Review the Concept Note and Request for Support for more details
The CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership will be hosting the STEM/STEAM Careers Webinar Series every Friday at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Each program will feature STEM/STEAM industry and subject matter experts on topics such as artificial intelligence, women in STEM, building your portfolio, emerging technologies and much more. To Join the Weekly Webinar activities see the below details:
Details of Zoom Webinars
The Webinar Series will run from September 22nd, 2023 – November 24th, 2023, every Friday at 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Details of Zoom Webinars
Zoom Meeting Information
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86893819949?pwd=ZVp3aU9nQnBINm4yOU0rSWo3ampIQT09
Meeting ID: 868 9381 9949
Passcode: 220923
The below table outlines the dates of each webinar and corresponding Speakers and provides a link to their presentations.
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Date |
Speaker(s) |
Presentation |
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September 15th 2023 |
Ms. Tiffani Teachey – |
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September 22nd 2023 |
Ms. Anuskha Varsha Sonai- Creative Tech Hub Caribbean |
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Mr. Reyshad Xavier Jhon-Clair Selman, CEO XRLab |
Subject Matter: “The Opportunities, Categories, Use Cases and Ethics of AI in our Digital Ecosystem” |
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September 29th 2023 |
Ms. Candice Denic- Google |
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Mr. Joshua Andall – Caribbean Youth Ambassador – Grenada |
Subject Matter: “Digital Marketing Agencies” |
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October 6th 2023 |
Ms. Erica Simmons- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Jamaica Section |
Feature: “Unconventional Careers in ICT” |
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Ms. Rhoda Essien – UN Eastern Caribbean Youth representative |
Subject Matter: “Women in Stem: How does one narrow down a career?” |
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October 13th 2023 |
Dr. Letecia Addison – UWI |
Feature: Breaking Barriers in STEM/STEAM Fields |
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October 20th 2023 |
Mr. Christopher Francique – ICT Educator |
Feature: “Digital evolution, emerging careers and the role boys fulfill in STEM/STEAM” |
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October 27th 2023 |
Ms. Bevon Chadel Charles – CEO/Founder Akata Farms |
Feature: Empowering the Future: AI, Technology, and the Power of Girls in STEM/STEAM |
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Ms. Alisha Koulen – Operations Manager STEMGUYANA Inc |
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November 3rd 2023 |
Dr Uon Sandiford Medical Dentist | Forensic Odontologist |
Feature: “The role of a Forensic Odontologist in the new Guyana” |
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Ms. Derval Barzey – Sustainable Development Professional | Energy Transitions | Podcaster |
Subject Matter: “Careers in Energy and Sustainable Development” |
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November 10th 2023 |
Ms. Vanessa Webbe – |
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Ms. Kim Spencer – Subject Specialist, Ministry of Education (Guyana) |
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Ms. Desa Philadelphia Communication and Development Strategist | Writer | Editor |
Subject Matter: “Careers in the Arts” |
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November 17th 2023 |
Ms. Christine London – National Project Coordinator, Ministry of Education |
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| Ms Saelese Haymes – Head Titan – Titan Chambers | Feature: “Law, FinTech and Advocacy” | |
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Mr Mario Ramotar, PhD- Meta |
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November 24th 2023 |
Mrs. Celia Garcia-James Sustainability Development Professional |
“Digital Transformation in the Oil and Gas Sector” |
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Mrs. Constentina Hamilton Agriculture Professional |
Founder and Executive Director of Proserpina AgTech Subject Matter: “Building your career and character in 2023.” |
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|
Mrs. Tamika Henry Fraser Forensic Scientist |
Subject Matter: Fact or Fiction? Unravelling The Mystery of a Career in Forensic Science |
Background
Women and girls participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, commonly known as STEM, is one of the areas which is seemingly experiencing some lag. Although just as many girls as boys are completing high-school level education, and more women graduate from university worldwide than men, women remain a minority in the STEM fields.
The reasons for this systematic underrepresentation are multiple and complex, but three things seem to matter most: 1) Aspirations that are molded by social norms and parental expectations; 2) information failures that affect the decision to enter and stay in a STEM field; and 3) institutional factors that constrain women’s ability to enter a STEM job.
Evidence shows that an early exposure to STEM (which includes ICT) has a positive impact on students’ perceptions towards those subjects and can ensure that students are digitally competent when they leave school.
Children are growing up in a world where social media, mobile technology and online communities are fundamental to the way that they communicate, learn and develop.
“Knowledge related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is crucial in responding to the challenges we are facing as a society…” Tibor Navracsics European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport[1].
Tested interventions in developed countries that have made role models available to girls, introduced inclusive language in the classroom, brought in non-stereotypical role models, and given information about STEM workplaces show a lot of promise.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) estimates that within the next 10 years, there will be more than two million technology jobs that cannot be filled because of a lack of digital specialists.
Girls and young women who learn coding, app development and computer science will not only be well-placed for a successful career in the ICT sector; but advanced digital skills are rapidly becoming a strong advantage for students in almost any other field they might choose to pursue.
One of the global responses to deal with the afore-mentioned challenges is the Girls in ICT Day observance. This is the annual observance spear-headed by the ITU to raise awareness of the opportunities and needs for women to join the workforce in STEM and ICT careers. The observance is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of April every year.
Girls in ICT: Digital Skills for Life
Click here for an Overview on the Girls in ICT partnership
In 2022, the COTED ICT (Ministers) approved the workplan of the partnership.
Launch of the 2023 Career Webinar series – Concept note and call for speakers
