Female students in polytechnic infocomm technology courses to receive more opportunities

To develop and nurture girls in tech, the five polytechnics have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) together with the Singapore Women in Tech (SGWIT) at the launch of the Cross-Polytechnic Girls in Tech (GIT) committee on May 13.

Girls currently studying infocomm technology courses in the polytechnics will be automatically co-opted as members of the newly formed Cross-Polytechnic GIT Committee, which plans to explore collaborations to retain, develop and deepen the girls’ interest in a career in the tech industry.

This will be done through programmes such as talks, workshops, competitions, and mentorship opportunities. SGWIT will support these activities organised by the Cross-Polytechnic GIT with speakers, venues and sponsorship. 

One key activity will be the annual ‘Girls in Tech Week’ in Oct 2022, in which girls from Institutes of Higher Learning, including those from Institutes of Technical Education (ITE), and universities, will be invited to company visits, tech talks and sharing sessions by female tech leaders. 

This aims to inspire the girls to seize the available opportunities and overcome challenges in different tech job roles. 

The Cross-Polytechnic GIT will also collaborate with industry partners in a series of programmes to deepen their tech skills, introduce them to emerging technologies, and provide exposure to tech career opportunities. These partners include Accenture, Cisco, Logicalis Singapore, NCS and Vlookup, PayPal, and ST Engineering.

“In Singapore, the proportion of female tech professionals is above the global average, at around four in ten. Yet, we still have much more to do.

“SGWIT will continue to reach out to girls and women to show them the possibilities of an exciting tech career to ignite their passion and interest in our industry,” said Chairperson of SGWIT and Assistant Chief Executive of BizTech Group, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Dr Ong Chen Hui.