U.S. Embassy Launches New STEM Education Initiative for Women and Girls in Bangladesh

News Desk:  U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller, joined distinguished Bangladeshi scientists and STEM educators, and students, to inaugurate the Embassy-funded “Strengthening U.S.-Bangladesh Sustainable Relationship by Developing Student-centered STEM Education” project at BRAC Inn today.  Ambassador Miller recognized the contributions of women in different sectors in Bangladesh and around the world, highlighting the importance of encouraging and supporting women and girls to pursue education and careers in STEM fields.

The two-year-long project funded by the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section will encourage female participation in STEM fields through targeted outreach to university-age students, nationwide STEM competitions, and teacher training for STEM educators.  Job fairs and career counseling focusing on opportunities in the technology sector will provide young women (ages 18-25) with mentorship and resources needed to launch successful careers.  Nationwide STEM competitions will engage young women and girls especially from ethnic minority communities in Bangladesh.  Over 800 female STEM instructors across all eight divisions will receive training to help teach more effectively and on how to mentor women, girls, and other minority community members about STEM careers.

The “Strengthening U.S.-Bangladesh Sustainable Relationship by Developing Student-centered STEM Education” project is one of U.S. Embassy Dhaka’s many initiatives to strengthen and expand people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the United States and Bangladesh, engage marginalized communities, ensure gender parity, and provide women and girls with opportunities to contribute to creating sustainable and inclusive economic prosperity in Bangladesh and a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Education & Cultural Society (ECS) is the Embassy’s implementing partner for this project.  ECS, led by a U.S. Department of State exchange program alumna, is one of a few local non-profit organizations exclusively focused on STEM education.  ECS is working with underserved communities throughout Bangladesh to promote women and girls’ education and empowerment through various programs that focus on countering gender-based violence (GBV), preventing violent extremism (PVE), combatting child marriage, preventing early motherhood, and promoting STEM educational opportunities.