Tech Industry Concerns as Female Students Avoid ICT Courses
Female students at universities and colleges are avoiding ICT courses, according to players in the tech business, which has hampered their marketability in the labor market.
According to them, the majority of jobs now involve technology, so Esther Wanjiru, director of research and innovation at Zetech University, said that students must not only master tech skills but also keep up with emerging trends.
According to the university, only 5% of the 50 students enrolled in IT-related disciplines such as computer science, software engineering, and information technology are female.
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The concern raised is due to the increasing influence of technology across all sectors. It emphasizes the importance of keeping up with rapidly evolving technological advancements. The digital workspace offers abundant opportunities, and there is a need for female students to consider ICT courses, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market, as explained by Wanjiru.
She was addressing at the University on Monday during a session titled ‘Women in Tech Competition’ for female students from various higher education institutions.
She went on to say that, in order to make their students more competitive, the university has created a linkage program for ICT students with various tech giants such as Microsoft, Huawei, Google, and Africa Stocking, among others, for internship and other opportunities, and that in some cases, the students are absorbed by the tech firms.
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Eve Kilel of SheHacks, a cyber-security startup based in the country, echoed her comments, urging more ladies to enter the IT field as a form of empowerment.
Velma Wafula, a former Zetech IT student who is now working with USIU-Africa, also pushed students to build networks with well-known tech enterprises, organizations, and individuals in order to boost their chances of landing a job.
Meanwhile, Wanjiru revealed that Zetech students have already enrolled in the Ajira Program, which the Ministry of ICT implemented in the country in 2016.
Transcription, digital marketing, virtual assistance, data entry and administration, and online writing are among the skills taught to students as part of the curriculum.
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The program has provided training and mentorship to students, highlighting the significance of utilizing skills like article writing, transcription, digital marketing, and virtual assistance to enhance their livelihoods through online work.
As Wanjiku mentioned, many students are gaining from this strategy, which allows them to make money while continuing their education.
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Tech Industry Concerns as Female Students Avoid ICT Courses