Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) and Jwaneng Mine held a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshops for female Junior Secondary students designed to create awareness on the importance of STEM subjects.
The annual workshop also provide students with practical tools and routes to accessing engineering and technology careers.
At least 200 and 150 students graced the workshops in Jwaneng and Orapa respectively.
These workshops are part of the Girl in Engineering (GirlEng) programme sponsored by Debswana, De Beers and South African Based Non-Governmental Organisation, Women in Engineering (WomEng).
Speaking at the event in Orapa, Human Resources Manager- Boikhutso Mphinyane said the purpose of the programme was to achieve gender parity in STEM careers through encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM as part of Debswana Building Forever Strategy.
The HR Manager urged the students to strive for excellence, in order to have a shot at different scholarships offered by both the government and the private sector.
“In Debswana we offer scholarships to students interested in STEM careers, but we target top performers,” he said.
He said due to a small number of women in technical roles within the mine the programme is geared towards increasing women representation in the technical fields by inspiring young women in STEM subjects and careers.
The workshop is designed such that students are able to mingle and network with Women Engineers and ask them questions about their experiences.
Professionals that have been invited to share knowledge with the students include Debswana Female engineers, Batswana professionals, and young women engineers from the Southern Africa Fellowship.
One of the leading female Mine Engineers, Boipelo Pearl Mariano, said while Engineering is a male dominated field, women are equally capable.
Mariano said women are best suited to be Engineers because they are natural problem solvers. “The biggest part of being an Engineer is that that you get to solve real life problems,” she said.
A Process Engineer Lone Mbegwa further urged the girls to be daring and pursue their passions in STEM. “Become a statistic and increase the number of women in Engineering,” she said.
