Samsung Innovation Campus celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the United Nations General Assembly, Samsung Argentina highlighted its commitment to promoting access and participation of women and girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines. This day is a unique opportunity to recognize the critical role of women in science and to strengthen initiatives that encourage their participation.

Since 2016, International Day of Women and Girls in Science has been celebrated annually as an opportunity to promote the full and equal access and participation of women and girls in science, highlighting its importance in combating gender gaps and promoting equality. This initiative, promoted by UN Women and UNESCO, reinforces the global priority of ensuring gender equality by supporting young women in their education, empowering them to make their ideas heard, and recognizing their role as fundamental drivers of development and peace.

The gender gap in technology remains a global challenge, and Argentina is no exception. According to data collected by the NCR Foundation[1], the number of women enrolled in and graduating from technology programs is significantly lower than that of their male counterparts, despite the growing demand for workers in the sector. In response to this problem, Samsung has been leading a transformative initiative for the past four years through the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), which aims to promote STEM education and inclusion of young women across the country.

Daiana Flores, a graduate of Samsung Innovation Campus Big Data course held at Escobar, agrees: "Today, more women are seeking technology-related careers, but I don't know yet if this has an impact on the workplace. It's a very difficult process to work on your own mindset to move away from gender roles. I know a lot of women who are studying and training in the field of technology, but they don't dare enter the market because they don't feel capable. And that's a prejudice. We have to change our mindset."

Luz Leon, a mother and systems engineering student who participated in the last two editions of the program in Escobar says: "We come with the idea that we haven't been given the space for a long time. Recognition has always been more for men, so we come with the ingrained idea that it's going to be difficult for us. When you start in this field, the ideal is to surround yourself with people who inspire you that things are changing and you're going to get there. I like the way the world looks, the sacrifices you make, and seeing how you can improve your situation. I want to give all that to my child. It satisfies me as a mother, and I want it to satisfy me as a professional."

SIC includes training workshops on big data, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), soft skills training, and a personalized mentoring system. These activities are designed not only to equip participants with advanced technical knowledge, but also to empower them to develop as future leaders in the technology industry.

Narella Rojas, an electromechanical engineering student who participated in the Big Data course in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, believes that the comprehensive approach to students is essential for them to get the most out of the course: "What stood out the most was the support. Because it's a distance learning course, you think you're on your own. In this course, we were accompanied by mentors who were there if we had problems continuing and allowed us to communicate with the professor about class issues. We had a lot of support, and that combined with the fact that the course wasn't just about big data and Python, but they also helped you grow professionally. They taught us how to build our resumes, how to use LinkedIn, they helped us identify our soft skills, how to use them, how to communicate and how to act in a team environment."