Based on Istat 2021 data, more than half of Italian graduates are women. However, of those, only 16 out of 100 have a degree in STEM majors, which is the English acronym for science subjects (literally STEM). On the other hand, the proportion of men is 35%. Helping to bridge this gap in terms of attendance as well as narrative were among the main objectives of the meeting this afternoon in Trento: “Portraits – the first STEM graduates from the University of Trentino”.
event organized byranking For engineers of the province of TrentoAnd the Idea Trento and the Women’s Council of the Municipality of Trentosponsored byUniversity of TrentoAnd the Autonomous Province of Trento, Order of Architects of the Province of Trento and the Negrilli FoundationIt was an opportunity to celebrate women’s professionalism and she refused to say it Certainly extraordinary stories of women For the provincial capital and the University of Trentino: the first to put himself on the line, even with courageous and countercurrent choices, to devote himself to mathematics, engineering and cognitive science.
Notable Guests at Palazzo Geremia Amalia Ercole Fenzi (regarding), the first woman to graduate in aeronautical engineering in Italy, e Maria Akrifolisand architect and AIDIA national president. Next, the audience heard the testimonies of the first STEM graduates from the University of Trento, moderated by journalist Francesca Merz: Paula DallagoCivil Engineering; Francesca Chinettimaterials engineering; Barbara Frunerinformation engineering; Maria Alba Cesarini SforzaMaths; Camila Lenti and Veronica CembraniCognitive sciences.
“Spread Positive examples From women who have achieved their educational and career goals, they can help Closing the gender gap Who still distinguishes STEM disciplines today – said at the beginning Silvia de Rosa, President of the Syndicate of Engineers -. In the world of science and research, the gap between women and men in terms of training, employment and employment opportunities is still large and is attributed to cultural factors. That is why we wanted to reaffirm that women and men should have the same opportunities, and they should be free to choose.”
“You are a positive role model, we need you and your example, thanks for what you stand for – he said Chancellor of Education, University and Culture of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Mirco Bisti Addressing the first female STEM graduates from the University of Trentino -. We are aware that there is a gender gap in STEM majors, but we are working with our educational institutions to close this gap, to promote and support our students, and to allow them to make an informed choice of their school path. Chancellor Bissetti concluded that our school is changing, we are getting increasingly close to the European model, for example, we have introduced four-year courses for secondary schools starting next year. We always want to set an example of healthy, positive, virtuous, open and inclusive.”
“Gender balance is a topic that the University of Trento is particularly concerned about – commented University President Flavio Diflorian -. We are aware that in some STEM disciplines there is a problem of female attendance, as the number of female students is still very low. Initiatives like these reinforce the stories of girls and women who choose to pursue their interests and passions beyond predetermined stereotypes and roles.”
He said, “It is important to educate the world of schools and institutions Minella Chela, President of the Women’s Council of the Municipality of Trento -. Women have excellent academic performance, but the imbalance in their presence in scientific faculties is obvious. Not only that: they find it more difficult to get hired and hold senior positions. More female graduates in science subjects means more human capital to meet the technological challenges of the future.”
Amalia Ercole Fenzian Italian aeronautical engineer and academic who was, among other things, a science advisor to NASA, mentioned how “according to the World Economic Forum, it takes 135 years to close the gender gap and achieve gender equality. In the case of science subjects, it is necessary to act by helping girls guide themselves in the school path from primary school onwards. At that moment, young girls, under the pressure of stereotypes and cultural adaptation, begin to think that they are not suitable for math and science. But STEM subjects are the subjects of the future: everyone who wants to To have skills in leadership subjects He must know STEM subjects. Not only that: Mathematics is also a transversal and universal language. It is STEM subjects that make us women enter the future in a dignified way. Even if for centuries they have tried to convince us that they are not for us” .
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