Empowering Women through Digital Technology Training

In today’s rapidly changing technological landscape, advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, and programming are reshaping global industries. With the surge of opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the importance of education to promote digital inclusivity is greater than ever. Especially, given the relatively low proportion of women in STEM fields, there is a growing need for diverse digital technology education programs for young women.

In response, Samsung Electronics has introduced the Samsung Innovation Campus, delivering tailored programs for female students in countries like Türkiye, Argentina, and Spain to expand digital inclusivity. These programs go beyond providing technical training in digital skills—they are intended to boost students’ confidence and develop soft skills, such as teamwork and leadership as well as offer systematic education, mentoring, and hands-on experience to help them become future leaders. Let’s dive into the inspiring stories of young women around the world who are using this initiative to pave the way for future technological trailblazers with Samsung Innovation Campus.

Türkiye: Expanding AI Education to Empower Women Leaders

This year, Samsung Innovation Campus in Türkiye partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch an AI education program for female students . In addition to diverse digital technology trainings including AI, coding, and programming, the program provides mentorship designed to prepare women for leadership roles in the tech industry. These initiatives are expected to play a crucial role in raising awareness about gender equality and cultivating greater digital inclusivity.

Launched on International Women’s Day, the program encouraged participants to enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills while motivating them to reach innovative solutions. Mihriban Özdemir, one of the participants of SIC, said, "Using the AI skills I learned through Samsung Innovation Campus in real projects helped me build a competitive edge." Another participant, Selin Ataş, added, "It gave me a chance to reconsider my social impact and provided valuable experience in boosting my technical skills in AI and data analysis." Begüm Nur Okur, recipient of the SDGs Excellence Award, noted that "The structured learning from SIC’s AI program helped me grow, and the challenges I overcame gave me a deep sense of accomplishment."

By partnering with the UNDP, Samsung Electronics is supporting women in building expertise and stepping into leadership roles within the tech industry. The program provides opportunities to develop AI projects that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging participants to drive positive social change.

Samsung’s dedication to empowering women in the digital sector is vital to advancing both gender equality and technological innovation. This effort equips graduates to help shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Argentina: Advancing Female Leadership in STEM Fields

Samsung Innovation Campus is working to increase female participation in STEM professions. In Argentina, where only 14% of women pursue STEM degrees, the program provides opportunities for women to develop the technical skills essential for success in the job market.

Through workshops focused on AI and big data, the program equips women aged from 18 to 24 with the tools they need to thrive in the fast-evolving tech industry. Laura Lenzi, the CSR manager in Samsung Electronics Argentina, explained, "We believe education is the key to driving positive social change, and we’re committed to helping the next generation of women become leaders of innovation."

Carmen Sosa, a 2022 graduate of Samsung Innovation Campus, now works as a tech schoolteacher in Tierra del Fuego and also serves as a mentor for the program. Reflecting on her journey, Sosa shared, "To every young girl starting in STEM, I want to say—don’t give up. It’s important not to limit yourself because of stereotypes, and freely choose the job you want to work on." She expressed her gratitude for the program’s support, describing her experience as "a rewarding time where my effort and passion were recognized."

Samsung Innovation Campus partnered with Randstad to strengthen the connection between education and the workforce, opening up more employment opportunities for graduates. Jorge Figueroa, Randstad’s head of public affairs and sustainability, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, "It’s critical to create opportunities for gender equality, especially in industries that have traditionally been male-dominated."

Spain: Enhancing Digital Inclusivity for Women Through Specialized Training

Samsung Innovation Campus established a new program to increase digital inclusion for women. Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and Polytechnic University of Valencialencia (UPV) hosted the program, providing free training to 120 women between the ages of 18 and 35.

The 460-hour course covered topics ranging from basic programming to advanced AI, guiding participants systematically from beginner to expert levels. Participants built practical skills through hands-on lessons in Python programming, data structures, and algorithms. Those who achieved outstanding results earned the opportunity to join an advanced AI course, where they applied their knowledge to real-world projects.

Miguel Ángel Ruiz, Head of Brand & Innovation & CMI at Samsung Iberia, emphasized the program's impact, noting, "Samsung Innovation Campus gives women the opportunity to play a critical role in the tech field." As part of Samsung’s global CSR efforts, the program helps women acquire essential digital skills and strengthens their competitiveness in the job market.

In addition to Samsung Innovation Campus, the company runs follow-up programs to help students expand their career opportunities in tech. Recently, Samsung hosted the first ‘Innovation Campus Summit’ in Spain, reinforcing its commitment to supporting women as they lead the future of digital technology. Samsung aims to pursue various educational activities in the future to support female students.

References

• Samsung Electronics Newsroom (Argentina): Samsung Innovation Campus promueve el liderazgo femenino en carreras STEM
• Samsung Electronics Newsroom (Spain): Samsung lanza una nueva edición del Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) afianzando su oferta por el talento femenino y la IA
• Samsung Electronics Newsroom (Turkiye): ‘Innovation Campus’’ Programı kapsamında genç kadınlara özel açılan yeni yapay zeka sınıfının başvuruları başladı