Graphic by Koh Terai/The Gazelle

At NYU Abu Dhabi, weSTEM is a Student Interest Group that is trying to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for women. By creating a platform of support where women can gain opportunities related to research, internships, mentoring and networking, weSTEM aims to strengthen students’ academic careers.

weSTEM is currently headed by seniors Dóri Pálfi and Beatrice Ionascu, the president and vice president respectively. During their semesters abroad in New York, they became involved in Women in Computing, an organization sponsored by the computer science department at NYU New York. Inspired by the encouragement and support that the organization offered for women interested in computing and technology, they decided to co-found weSTEM here at NYUAD.

“After returning from study-abroad, we reflected more on our experiences as STEM students and realized [that] we didn’t really have female professors in the STEM fields,” said Pálfi. “We didn’t really have… strong examples to ask questions about [what] the next steps would be like if we decided to stay in academia and in STEM.”

On Feb. 19 and Feb. 20, weSTEM members participated and were placed runners-up at the Women in STEM Hackathon, a 48-hour hackathon at Astrolabs in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. Run by the Meera Kaul Foundation, it offers women opportunities to translate their proposals into novel businesses. This year’s theme, Smart Cities, involved developing mobile apps for cities.

Senior Nandita Chaturvedi, freshman Yana Chala, NYUNY sophomore Jane Choe, as well as Pálfi and Ionascu proposed the idea of City Voice, a mobile app that livestreams parliament meetings in the UAE. By offering greater transparency between the general public and the government, they hoped to increase both equality and political participation by allowing more women and younger individuals the ability to provide input on laws.

Ionascu added that the conference was a great learning experience to develop technical skills and connect with inspiring women who share similar visions as women in STEM. In the future, weSTEM hopes to collaborate with similar women empowering programs for STEM in the region.

The events hosted by weSTEM are geared toward mentoring and providing resources for students to learn about opportunities related to their field of interest.

The Research Panel kickstarted the events for this semester. Students in STEM majors who have conducted research at institutions such as Harvard or NYU were invited to share their experiences and advise younger students.

Pálfi and Ionascu both mentioned that while the SIG aims to empower women in STEM, its events, especially the Research Panel, have benefited all genders.

“[Women empowerment is] a cause that doesn’t need only female support… and we believe that you can empower women through gender equality, not through female exclusivity,” said Ionascu.

Other initiatives create a platform where students can seek support. The Mentorship Program for example, matches students to upperclassmen, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, etc., in order for them  to gain insight and advice from an experienced individual on questions revolving around their major.

Sophomore Safa Kashaf participated in the Mentorship Program in fall 2015; she is now co-coordinating the program alongside junior Hind Al Tantawi for the spring 2016.

“My personal vision for this Mentorship Program is for it to really develop relationships that last well beyond the scope of just the SIG and the school,” said Kashaf. “For example, even once you graduate, this mentor would be somebody that you would periodically turn to maybe even in your personal life… those are the most rewarding relationships.”

weSTEM also reaches out to women beyond NYUAD. The weSTEM High School Conference, which will be held at NYUAD this month, is an initiative that will focus on career development and illustrate important technical skills and knowledge. Reaching out to students at an earlier age will prepare girls for a successful career in STEM.

In the future, weSTEM hopes to host a similar conference for college students, where women can connect and share resources. They would also like to continue growing and collaborating with other universities and high schools in the region. In terms of connecting campuses, NYUSH junior Misya Christina, the events coordinator said that she would like to maintain contact with weSTEM, and carry out its mission in some form when she returns to NYUSH.