Widya Indonesia is a research project that aims to support, nurture and empower Indonesian women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by building resilience through professional networks, role models and role models.

The project is implemented by Edinburgh Napier University United Kingdom and Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya in collaboration with Equate Scotland. The project is funded by the British Council’s Gender Equality Partnerships grant and Kedaireka – Ministry of Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia – Merdeka Campus.

Widya Indonesia Conducting research on Indonesian women’s challenges and opportunities in studying and pursuing successful careers in STEM fields is the first step to empowering them. By working with university career advisors, research-based training programs and workshops can be designed to support Indonesian schoolgirls to be more confident in pursuing careers in these fields. In addition, the development of networking platforms and communication channels is key to facilitating professional relationships and building support systems for women working in STEM. Through engagement with role models, inspirational events can be organized to encourage Indonesian women to continue pursuing and developing careers in STEM. As a strategic step, a policy brief aimed at government, educational institutions and other stakeholders is needed to support the development of career pathways and strengthen the role of Indonesian women in STEM

To support the objectives of the workshop by strengthening resilience through professional support, as well as inspiration from role models and exemplary examples, several female figures with careers in STEM attended the workshop, including Yuyun Ismawati, M.Sc., Senior Advisor and founder of Nexus3Foundation, Prof. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at WMCUS, and Prof. Carina Joe, Indonesian scientist and patent holder of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine who participated in a hybrid way.

On the second day of the workshop with the theme “Building Resilience and Strategies to Develop Careers in STEM Fields,” Prof. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo explained the beginning of interest in STEM fields, opportunities, and benefits that can be obtained when working in these fields.

All workshop events were successful and organized, involving the presence of many teachers from various regions in Indonesia as well as students from various schools. It is hoped that the interactions during these activities will encourage schools to inspire and support students in pursuing careers in STEM.