The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology is underway at the University of Gdańsk. For six weeks, 30 female students are gaining knowledge and developing their own ideas under the guidance of experienced experts.
The opening meeting of the Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology took place at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science on 7 October this year. It was attended by (online) Rupal Patel, who worked for the CIA during the presidencies of George Bush and Barack Obama, and after leaving the service, founded two companies providing consulting services. The author of the book ‘From CIA to CEO: How CIA Techniques Will Help You at Work’ is a frequent guest at international conferences and explains the possibilities of using CIA methods in professional life.
Representing the University of Gdańsk at the inauguration of the Academy were: dr Sylwia Klińska-Bąchor and dr Alicja Chmielewska from the Interdepartmental Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Gdańsk and the Medical University of Gdańsk, dr Małgorzata Ławreszuk from the Faculty of Economics, dr Aleksandra Walewska from the Faculty of Chemistry and dr Hanna Furmańczyk from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics.
‘The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology is an educational and mentoring programme created as part of the HerTechVenture project, addressed to female students of STEM fields,’ says dr Hanna Furmańczyk, project coordinator from the University of Gdańsk. ‘It is a project promoting gender equality in technology companies, focusing on factors that prevent women from pursuing careers in STEM industries, which is why the Academy's audience consists of female students from four faculties of the University of Gdańsk (Biology, MPh&I, Chemistry and IFB) who want to develop their own ideas under the guidance of experienced experts’.
The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology is a training programme, individual mentoring programmes and a Hackathon for Women (but not only!). ‘The Academy will help our students develop towards a future in business: they will learn how to create a business plan, give presentations and apply for funding for their projects. We believe that practical sessions with experts, interspersed with theory, are the most effective method. Mentoring tailored to individual needs will be a huge support. The Academy is also a great place to meet other ambitious women in STEM industries, and thus an opportunity to gain future contacts and friendships!’ - adds the researcher.
The number of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is growing every year. The report ‘Women at Technical Universities 2024’ shows that over the last four years (from the 2019/2020 to 2022/2023 academic years), the number of female students in IT-related fields has increased by 25.47%.
The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Technology is being established as part of the HerTechVenture project, which aims, among other things, to combat gender stereotypes, boost self-confidence and inspire female students to pursue careers in the technology industry.