Thank you to everyone who joined this webinar on 24 April 2024. If you were unable to attend want to remind yourself of some of the topics, you can watch a recording of the event above.

About this webinar

The underrepresentation of girls and women in STEM education and careers is concerning, given that these fields are frequently described as the cornerstone of future employment opportunities, driving innovation, social welfare, and sustainable development.

In this webinar, we will discuss how to integrate digital skills into girls' daily lives. This is essential for ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls in accessing the internet, participating in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) education, and pursuing careers in technology and science. The discussion will also encompass the need for cultural transformation to facilitate girls' complete engagement in digital and online learning, as well as accessing skill development for a more equitable future.

About the panel

This is a panel event, with speakers from around the world, followed by questions from the audience. 

Fella Boudjema

An experienced Academic & Business Development Manager in the education sector. In addition to that, a quality assurance manager and a CELTA/ TYLEC Certified teacher with a seventeen (17) year teaching/coaching/training experience. Furthermore, a PET and KET Speaking Examiner and a Cambridge Research Ambassador.

This diversified experience strengthened different skills and levelled them with technology implementation into classrooms such as LMSs, SIS, Robotics and STEAM platforms.

Fella is currently holding the position of Head of Education at the British Council Algeria which allows her to foster a dynamic learning environment that aligns with her interest in supporting innovative learning environment.

Linda Cardiff

Linda is a Project Lead for The Camden Education Trust, a global education not for profit company with charitable status. The Camden Education Trust partners with GOOGLE, SAP, UNESCO, UNECA, Irish Aid, BMZ/GIZ and local partners to deliver a range of projects including the World Robot Olympiad and the Women Empowerment Program (WEP).

As part of her role, Linda oversees the successful delivery of the WEP to educators across 40 African countries. The online program brings together African women educators and leaders to provide high-level professional development for participants in the areas of leadership, communications, digital skills, gender equality, global citizenship, and resilience. Linda works closely with a range of corporate partners, governments, and family foundations to lead this program as a sustainable educational initiative.

Linda was the Principal Researcher on Inspiring Women, an educational design research study that explored new methods of inquiry and analysis to make the history of women more accessible, interesting and relatable to post-primary students. She collaborated with history teachers to identify and compile suitable history content that included AI powered 3D volumetric holograms to inspire student interest in a variety of careers relating to STEM.  

Linda has extensive experience working in the technology industry and in the education sector. She has coordinated the implementation of Government and Industry led projects that articulate how digital education transforms teaching and learning outcomes. Projects included EU Code Week, Hour of Code and a Digital Youth Council.

Natalija Budinski

Natalija Budinski is a math teacher in Serbia, currently on a principal position. Field of her interest are innovation in education, STEM education and teaching mathematics trough art activities. She created several projects that support girls in choosing future careers in the STEM fields, and projects that raise awareness about digital safety. Natalija has been honoured as one of the top three hundred most innovative Microsoft educators globally. Additionally, she has been recognised as a change maker in the 'All Digital' initiative, Euroguidance, Europeana, and European Schoolnet, as well as being a recipient of the Teacher Excellence and Achievement Fulbright Scholarship.

Rachid Benarbia

Rachid Benarbia is a dedicated educator and tech enthusiast with a passion for empowering young minds through computer science education. His journey began at Manchester University (UK), where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in computer science, laying the foundation for a career in technology. Rachid currently teaches in Algeria.

Over the years, Rachid has honed his skills and expertise in various domains, including web hosting and development, Linux administration, and computer networks. These experiences have not only equipped him with technical proficiency but also instilled a deep understanding of how technology shapes our world.

For the past nine years, Rachid has had the privilege of serving as a computer science teacher, guiding and inspiring students aged 11 to 15 on their journey of discovery in the realm of technology. Beyond the classroom, he extends his impact by training fellow educators in IT skills, fostering a community of empowered teachers ready to shape the future of education.

Recently, Rachid has embraced a new role as a micro:bit champion, exploring the exciting possibilities of micro:bit technology to engage students and cultivate their creativity in coding and electronics.

'As I continue to evolve in my career, my commitment remains unwavering: to ignite curiosity, foster innovation, and empower the next generation of tech-savvy leaders.'

Dr Safia Noor

 

With over three decades of professional experience spanning Teaching, Administration, and Teachers' Training, I've had the privilege to collaborate with esteemed public, national, and international entities such as GIZ, UNICEF, UNHCR, the British Council, the World Bank, and the Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

My journey commenced in 1994 as a Senior Science Teacher (SST) within the Elementary & Secondary Education Department, where I progressively advanced to the role of School Head, a position I held until 2016. Subsequently, from 2016 to 2019, I contributed as a Senior Instructor at what was then known as PITE, now rebranded as DPD. Since August 2021, I've been serving as the Additional Director Academic at the Directorate of Professional Development (DPD) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

My international exposure includes visits to the UK in 2008, 2009, and 2011 through the Connecting Classrooms project of the British Council, where I gained insights into the UK school system. Additionally, in March 2024, I participated in the School Connect project in Zambia, facilitated by the British Council.

In my current capacity as Additional Director Academic at the Directorate of Professional Development, I oversee all academic and training endeavours since 2021. These responsibilities encompass material development, capacity building for school heads, education managers, and teachers across public, private, and development sectors.

My expertise in Teachers' Training spans various facets, including planning, material development, training, mentoring, and rigorous monitoring & evaluation, catering to both formal and non-formal educational settings.