As Singapore moves towards becoming a smart nation, there is a need to encourage more women to enter science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields to help develop solutions for a digital age. Yet, the under-representation of women in STEM careers has not changed much in the last few decades. Globally, women account for only 20-25 percent of the STEM workforce, especially in engineering and computer science.
Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, Grace Fu stated that as demand for graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is expected to grow, more women should thus be encouraged to pursue careers in these areas to reap the benefits, reports the Straits Times.
“STEM industries will feature strongly in our future as we automate our production and digitalize our processes,” Fu said at the annual conference for the People’s Action Party Women’s Wing, which Fu chairs. According to Fu, women remain under-represented in IT and engineering courses. “We should encourage more girls and women to take an interest in the STEM and pursue a career in these areas to benefit from the fast-growing STEM industries and the many good-paying jobs out there.”
In Singapore, the intake of women in STEM degrees accounts for around 25-35 percent of the total intake for engineering and computing degrees, statistics from the Ministry of Education showed.
Source: The Straits Times
