March 2, 2019 – 170 young women from private and public schools in Shouf area, gathered in Notre Dame University-Louaize Shouf Campus (NDU-SC), for the 8th edition of the ‘Girls Got IT’ event. The ‘Girls Got IT’ (GGIT) a joint Initiative between five Lebanese NGOs, led by Lebanese League for Women in Business (LLWB). The aim of the five collaborating NGOs – the LLWB, Arab Women in Computing (ArabWIC), Women in Technology (WIT), Women in Engineering (WIE) and Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) – is to grant female students in Lebanon the experience of testing the latest innovations in science and technology.
Asmahan Zein, President of LLWB, started the event by welcoming the participants and all the supporting and organizing partners. Zein addressed the young women saying: “You should have faith in your capabilities and the courage to explore the fields of the future and challenge all stereotypes and misconceptions doubting the ability of girls and women to succeed in science and technology”. Zein promised them an exceptionally interesting and memorable day, and thanked Reverend Fr. Naji Khalil, director of NDU Shouf campus, for hosting the GGIT. Souhad Abi Zaki, Senior Officer of Admissions
at the Office of Admissions, NDU, encouraged the participants to believe in their potential and their capacity to excel in any domain.
The event lasted 6 hours, over the course of which female students participated in a series of hands-on activities and workshops to learn more about various topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics like robotics, programming, hardware-software integrations, Internet of things (IOT), and artificial intelligence among other things. These activities and workshops were conducted by a number of experts and professionals who shared their experiences and promoted awareness on the importance of digital skills, sciences and technology in the job markets.
By hosting the GGIT, NDU-SC continues to affirm its strong commitment to invest in the youth’s skills and capabilities, and to empower them to forge a better and brighter future.