Affirmative Actions for Gender Equality

Women in STEM initiative

The Center worked closely with the University’s School of Engineering to launch a dynamic, long-term initiative to tackle the underrepresentation of women in engineering and technology.

The initiative “To all women and girls: Join the journey in Engineering and Technology”, was launched in June 2021 aiming at addressing the under-representation of girls and attracting more women to STEM fields. Acknowledging the multifaceted nature of this challenge, rooted in discrimination, biases, societal norms, and expectations, we recognized early on that meaningful change would require continuous long-term efforts.

The initiative seeks to engage various demographic groups, including university female students, young girls, their parents, educators, organizations in STEM fields, and the wider public. The initiative is under the auspices of the Commissioner for Gender Equality. 

Find out more about our actions below.

Through this initiative, a 50% scholarship is offered to all women who wish to enroll for the first time in any of the undergraduate programs of study of the School of Engineering.

The scholarships cover 50% of the tuition fees and apply to the first academic year with the possibility of renewal (every semester), based on the academic performance of the student at the University.

Learn more here.

STEM Days are held at Frederick University's campuses in Nicosia and Limassol, targeting girls aged 9 to 12. These events aim to introduce girls to various STEM fields and familiarize them with female role models. The events feature hands-on workshops on several STEM related topics, led by faculty members, students, and alumni from relevant university departments. Additionally, an empowerment session addresses gender bias and women's underrepresentation in STEM. Participating girls engage in role-playing and problem-solving exercises to build confidence and resilience.

STEM Camps are organized every summer at Frederick University's Nicosia Campus, targeting girls aged 13 to 16. These camps offer an intensive and holistic experience in STEM fields over five days. Participants engage in a diverse range of workshops, including amongst others robotics, programming, AI, internet technologies, architecture, civil engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and welding all conducted in the University's cutting-edge laboratories. Field trips are also arranged to provide a comprehensive experience in STEM fields and introduce the girls to accomplished female role models.

These events are funded by Frederick University and partially funded by the Cyprus Mechanism for Women’s Rights, ensuring they are offered free of charge to all participants.

Recognizing the crucial role parents play in shaping their daughters' career choices, the University organizes workshops to equip parents with the knowledge and tools to support and encourage their daughters in pursuing STEM fields.

By fostering a supportive home environment, parents can significantly boost their daughters' confidence and interest in STEM, aiding them in making informed educational and career decisions.

 

Within the initiative’s context, the University targets educators through seminars, special events, and conferences, while reaching the general public via (a) traditional media like TV and radio interviews, articles, (b) online platforms including online newspapers, social media, and podcasts and (c) participation in festivals, fairs, exhibitions etc.

Since the beginning of the initiative, several organizations operating in STEM sectors have shown interest in contributing to the University's efforts to address the underrepresentation of women in these fields, with their contributions taking various forms.

For example, one of the first organizations that supported the initiative was Chevron. Since 2022, Chevron has co-funded the scholarships of five women and will co-fund scholarships for three additional female students for the upcoming academic year.

For more on our partnership with Chevron, click here.

Frederick University has been included in an elite list of 14 academic institutions worldwide that have stood out for their actions and contributions toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The University's initiative, was selected by Advance HE as one of the 15 Good Practices for the internationally recognized Global Impact Grants 2023-24. The final list includes 14 universities from 8 countries across 4 continents.

Frederick University has been supporting trafficking victims for years, by offering scholarships to victims of commercial sexual exploitation and supporting them in pursuing their studies.