The Asia Foundation - USM Collaboration in STEM ConnectHer Program: Encouraging Women’s Participation in Underrepresented Subjects
The Asia Foundation - USM Collaboration in STEM ConnectHer Program: Encouraging Women’s Participation in Underrepresented Subjects
The STEM ConnectHer Program 2024 marked a significant milestone in Universiti Sains Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This initiative, led by The Asia Foundation (TAF) in collaboration with the School of Aerospace Engineering, USM, builds upon TAF’s earlier partnership with the Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA), USM, which served as the initial platform connecting the Foundation with the university. Through this connection, the collaboration expanded into the engineering domain, empowering female undergraduates to engage with global learning networks, professional mentors, and industry leaders.
Program Implementation at USM
The STEM ConnectHer Program at USM was officially launched in June 2024, marking the start of a collaborative journey between TAF and the School of Aerospace Engineering. The program’s structure combined virtual learning opportunities, in-person engagements, and career development pathways:
- Virtual Platform Access– Participants received free access to TAF’s online learning hub, allowing self-paced training on STEM, leadership, and employability modules.
- In-Person Engagement and Industry Visits– The program required at least one on-campus or corporate partner event, fostering exposure to real-world STEM environments.
- Career Accelerator Program– Up to 100 female students enrolled to enhance technical and soft skills, increasing readiness for STEM careers.
The USM program began with a Kick-off Session on 29 May 2024 at the School of Aerospace Engineering auditorium. The event was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elmi Abu Bakar, Deputy Dean of the School, and featured welcoming remarks from Ms Nadya Subramaniam, Senior Program and Operations Manager at The Asia Foundation. Nadya emphasized that mentorship and global exposure are vital in nurturing the next generation of women leaders in STEM.
Highlights from Speaker Series and Networking Events
The Global STEM ConnectHer Speaker Series and local collaborations served as the heart of the program. On 14 June 2024, participants joined an online session titled “Demystifying the Cloud that Powers Digital Transformation,” led by Valerie Leong, AWS ASEAN Lead. This interactive session introduced students to emerging digital technologies and cloud innovation.
The final highlight was the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Penang Sharing and Networking Session, held on 16 October 2024 at USM’s Aerospace Seminar Room.
Speakers included representatives from The Asia Foundation, Micron Women Leadership Network, Western Digital, and USM alumni such as Sivanandini Selvakone, who shared her inspiring career journey from aerospace to the semiconductor industry. The event also featured Dr. Esugasini Subramaniam, President of SWE Penang, who outlined a three-year roadmap for expanding women’s leadership in engineering.
Inspiring Participation and Positive Impact
More than 10% (90 female students) from Years 1 to 4 of the Aerospace Engineering program participated actively, with total attendance exceeding 100. Interactive sessions, open Q&As, and informal networking allowed students to engage meaningfully with professionals. Supportive elements such as lunch and goodies bags were provided to encourage inclusivity and recognition.
Student feedback reflected enthusiasm and empowerment:
“This program inspired me to go further in STEM, I love seeing women with power and authority in this field.”
“At first, I felt nervous, but I left excited and proud to be part of this event.”
Such responses show the program’s success in demystifying STEM careers and providing clear role models for young women engineers.
Encouraging Women’s Participation in Underrepresented Fields
The Asia Foundation and USM collaboration in the STEM ConnectHer Program represents a strategic step toward reducing gender disparity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, particularly in disciplines where women remain underrepresented, such as aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Through its multi-tiered structure that combines mentorship, online learning, and professional networking, the program creates an enabling ecosystem for women students to explore and excel in these fields. By providing early exposure to role models, access to global STEM networks, and tailored career development opportunities, the initiative aims to build confidence, enhance employability, and sustain women’s participation in sectors traditionally dominated by men. This collaboration underscores USM’s and The Asia Foundation’s shared commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and promoting gender equity in higher education and professional STEM environments.
Future Collaboration
The partnership between The Asia Foundation, KANITA, and the School of Aerospace Engineering exemplifies how academic and industry linkages can foster gender equity in STEM education. By building upon KANITA’s gender expertise and TAF’s international network, the STEM ConnectHer Program has not only inspired students but also laid the foundation for sustained collaboration in empowering women engineers across Malaysia (National) and the wider Asia-Pacific region (Regional).