STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is becoming an important field in the development of modern society, creating many job opportunities after graduation. However, the number of female students studying this field is not large, and universities are actively looking for solutions to attract female students.

Student Duong Thi Thanh Ha (middle) is awarded at the University of Technology and Education under the UD. Photo: NHAT HA

In fact, at technical universities, the number of female students participating in STEM majors is not large, partly due to gender stereotypes that science majors are often for men. According to statistics from Dr. Dinh Thi My Huong, a lecturer at the Faculty of Chemical and Environmental Technology, University of Technology and Education, a member of the University of Da Nang - UD, the participation of women in STEM fields is still very limited.

The proportion of female scientific researchers globally is only about 30%. Of the 199 Nobel Prizes in Physics, only two have been awarded to women; the proportion of female students winning prizes in high school science and technology competitions accounts for only 17%... This shows the urgent need to promote and support women to participate in STEM careers.

As one of the few female students studying STEM, Duong Thi Thanh Ha, a student majoring in Control and Automation Engineering Technology, the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the University of Technology and Education under the UD, has achieved many outstanding achievements while studying a major related to engineering.

Thanh Ha said that when she first entered this university, the proportion of female students studying engineering in general was still low, so it took her a long time to integrate effectively.

In addition, the major Ha is studying is in the field of technology and engineering, requiring a lot of knowledge about programming, electronics, control and practice on equipment, which is quite tough for female students like her.

Therefore, in an effort to keep up with the subjects, Ha usually spends a lot of time self-studying, searching for knowledge from many different sources; actively exchanging and discussing with her peers at the university, learning from the experiences of previous students; proactively seeking support from lecturers.

“When studying engineering in general, female students may encounter some disadvantages such as having to work with large-sized and heavy machinery and equipment, but in return, factors such as meticulousness, carefulness, detail, and patience in research are advantages for female students when studying these difficult majors”, Ha said.

Thanks to her constant efforts, Ha has continuously been an excellent student over the years, won many awards such as a second prize in the Smart Campus Asia Pacific Competition Scapa in 2023, the first prize in the student scientific research competition of the University of Technical Education in the 2023 - 2024 school year, and the first prize in the 2023 - 2024 Da Nang University Student Scientific Research Award.
Ha expressed: “Participating in scientific research is not only a task while still in school, but also a way for me to discover myself and orient my future. After graduation, I want to participate in research projects to apply the knowledge I have learned into practice”.

Currently, universities in the engineering sector are very interested in STEM education and attracting the engagement of students. Many STEM education activities are connected and introduced to students at high schools across the city.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tao Quang Bang, the Head of the Da Nang Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation, the University of Science and Technology - UD, with the desire to implement STEM education into the general education programme to create a knowledge foundation for students when continuing to study at university level, in recent years, the university has coordinated with the Da Nang Department of Education and Training, and high schools in the city to organise scientific research conferences and technology exhibitions for students.

This event is a bridge between lecturers and students of the university and teachers and students of high schools, an opportunity for students to exchange and learn new knowledge, to spread and foster passion for science and technology subjects.

In addition, many lecturers also believe that the combination between high schools and universities and businesses in STEM education is an important step to prepare the necessary knowledge and skills for students to orient their future careers.

According to Dr. Dinh Thi My Huong, in an effort to attract more students, especially female ones, to participate in STEM majors, it is necessary to strengthen STEM education for women from high school level; create opportunities for them to interact with successful role models in the STEM field; develop policies to support and create equal opportunities for them in this field; build a network to create conditions for them in the STEM field for mutual support.

Through increasing investment in STEM education from high school level, programmes and policies to support businesses, it is possible to create a new generation of female leaders in science and technology, contributing to making Viet Nam a centre of innovation in the region.

Reporting by NHAT HA - Translating by A. THU