Scholars, faculty, and staff of the Philippine Science High School-Central Visayas Campus (PSHS-CVisC) tuned in to “Women and Girls in Science Leadership”, a special online forum organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event was held via Zoom today, February 12, 2024 from 9 AM to 12 PM.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Diana L. Ignacio, Assistant Secretary for Administrative and Legal Affairs, and in charge of Gender and Development (GAD) Unit, and DOST-wide GAD Focal Person asserted DOST’s efforts to promote gender equality and recognized the role of women in STEM.
In his message, Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST Secretary also reiterated the agency’s efforts to empower women and girls through opportunities in STEM.
Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu, PSM, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, expounded on gender-gap and highlighted Australia’s program extended to the Philippine government to help Filipino women and girls in agriculture, forensics, and other STEM fields through post-graduate scholarships in Australia.
The first talk focused on “Women and Girls in Science Leadership: Breaking the Barriers” by Dr. Vanny Narita, Senior Officer, Science and Technology Division, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia.
The second talk covered “Navigating Career Advancement and Leadership in STEM fields” by Ms. Jackie Lyn A. Guevara, Graduate Teaching Assistant and Ph. D. Candidate, Michigan State University, USA.
Ms. Leia Yzabel Y. Monteclar, a Grade 11 student of PSHS-CVisC, Secretary-General of Pisay Model United Nations (MUN), and Team Captain of PSHS-CVisC Debate Society was one of the sharers in the forum. In her sharing, she focused on her journey as a #WomanInSTEM. She thanked DOST-PSHS for the opportunity to let her express her interest in STEM through the MUN and debating and encouraged her fellow scholars to explore other ways to express their STEM interests. Other sharers included Ms. Ronna Reyes-Sieh, Board Member, Philippine Science and Technology Development Foundation, Manila, Inc., and Ms. Ma. Caryl Villones, Bachelor in Science Education Major in Physics student of Philippine Normal University.
The third talk called, Women and Girls in Leadership: Transforming Science and Arts Education “A Woman of STEM, A Woman of Arts” was delivered by Dr. Josette T. Biyo, Director of the Science Education Institute.
The forum ended with the launching of the Song – “Falling for Seasons”, open forum, giving of certificates, and the closing remarks of Executive Director Lilia T. Habacon of the PSHS System.
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