Ainur Aimurziyeva, a fourth-year biology student at NU, won the «Social Impact 2023» competition last year, which supports social initiatives, El.kz cites press service of Nazarbayev University.
Her project aims to expand opportunities for girls in STEMM in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. With the grant funds, she organized a summer camp that was attended by 54 schoolgirls, including those from socially vulnerable backgrounds. Over five days, they immersed themselves in the world of engineering, programming, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and medicine.
«The idea for the camp came from professors Ellina Mun and Lisa Lim. They noticed a significant gender imbalance in STEMM in Kazakhstan and realized that social barriers and a lack of opportunities for girls required change. Their commitment to gender equality inspired us to create this camp,»says Aimurziyeva.
Early exposure to STEMM can change young people's career aspirations. By providing girls with a platform to interact with role models and learn about opportunities, Aimurziyeva hopes to strengthen their interest and determination to pursue education in STEMM.
«Girls often do not receive adequate support from families, communities, and schools due to traditional gender stereotypes. In Kazakhstan and Central Asia, STEMM careers are often seen as exclusively male, which discourages girls from choosing these disciplines,» she notes.
Aimurziyeva's project aims to foster STEMM education from an early age to inspire more girls to pursue careers in these fields and demonstrate that success in this area is not limited to men. The camp supports young talents across the country, particularly in rural areas, providing them with a community of like-minded individuals and mentorship from experienced women professionals in STEMM.