TEIN Cooperation Center Asia Connect European Union

Female Network Engineers

Strengthening Asi@Connect Through Gender Equality

WP3 • 3rd Call

Empowering Women in Technology

A comprehensive capacity development program for NREN TechGirls and Future IT-Girls across 15 Asi@Connect countries, building bridges for the next generation of female network engineers.

Project Impact at a Glance

Breaking barriers and building capacity for women in network engineering across the Asi@Connect region

2389
Total Participants
604
Female Participants
15
Countries Reached
672
Certifications Issued

🌟 Gender Impact & Achievements

Creating lasting change in the technology landscape

👥

25% Female Participation

Achieved significant female participation rate in technical webinars, exceeding regional averages and setting new standards

🎓

122 Women Trained

Provided comprehensive hands-on technical training through intensive in-person workshops across the region

🏆

9 Fellowships Awarded

Granted prestigious fellowships to outstanding TechGirls and Future IT-Girls for career advancement

🌐

Digital Community

Established sustainable online support networks fostering mentorship and collaboration

Key Activities & Programs

Comprehensive approach to capacity building and community development

1

Regional Assessment Survey

Comprehensive evaluation of female participation across 15 countries with 129 responses, establishing baseline data and identifying key opportunities for improvement.

2

Technical Webinar Series

5 specialized webinars covering critical technical topics, successfully reaching 2,389 participants with 604 female attendees across the region.

3

Hands-on Training Workshops

3 intensive in-person workshops in Bangladesh providing practical, real-world training to 122 women in advanced network engineering skills.

4

Fellowship Program

9 prestigious fellowships awarded to exceptional TechGirls and Future IT-Girls, providing career development and advancement opportunities.

5

Community Building Initiative

Established robust online support networks through dedicated platforms, WhatsApp groups, and Facebook communities for ongoing collaboration.

6

Outreach & Awareness

Developed and distributed 700 promotional materials to raise awareness and encourage broader participation in technology careers.

Participating Countries

Building a regional network of empowered female technologists

🇧🇩

Bangladesh

Lead Country
Project coordination and primary workshop hub

🇦🇫

Afghanistan

Regional participant in capacity development initiatives

🇧🇹

Bhutan

Active engagement in regional training programs

🇰🇭

Cambodia

Beneficiary of technical training initiatives

🇮🇳

India

Major participant in webinar series and fellowships

🇮🇩

Indonesia

Regional network development partner

🇱🇦

Laos

Fellowship and training program beneficiary

🇲🇲

Myanmar

Capacity building program participant

🇲🇾

Malaysia

Regional technical training partner

🇳🇵

Nepal

Active in community building initiatives

🇵🇰

Pakistan

Fellowship and webinar program participant

🇵🇭

Philippines

Regional training program beneficiary

🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

Technical capacity development participant

🇹🇭

Thailand

Regional coordination and training hub

🇻🇳

Vietnam

Active in fellowship and training programs

Key Outcomes & Achievements

Measurable impact and sustainable results

📊

Regional Survey Report

Comprehensive report on female participation in network engineering submitted, providing valuable baseline insights and strategic recommendations for future program development.

🏅

Certification Success

672 professional certifications issued from the webinar series, demonstrating successful knowledge transfer and measurable skill development across the region.

👩‍🎓

Practical Training Impact

122 women received intensive hands-on technical training, building essential practical skills in network engineering, administration, and advanced technologies.

🌐

Sustainable Support Network

Established robust virtual support ecosystem creating ongoing mentorship opportunities, peer collaboration, and career advancement pathways.

📢

Awareness Campaign

Successfully distributed outreach materials and significantly increased awareness about career opportunities for women in technology across participating countries.

💪

Enhanced Representation

Measurably increased female representation in regional technology communities, professional networks, and technical leadership roles.

Partner Organizations

Collaborative network driving regional change

🏛️

Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU)

Lead institution coordinating project activities and serving as the primary implementation hub for capacity development programs.

🌐

Bangladesh Research and Education Network (BdREN)

National NREN providing technical expertise, infrastructure support, and regional networking capabilities.

🔗

TEIN*Cooperation Center (TEIN*CC)

Regional coordination center facilitating cross-border collaboration and technical cooperation initiatives.

🏢

NRENs from 15 Countries

National Research and Education Networks across the region providing local expertise and implementation support.

👥

Technical Communities

BdNOG, APNIC, SANOG, BtNOG, APAN providing technical expertise, platforms, and professional networking opportunities.

Challenges & Adaptations

Overcoming obstacles and building resilience

🦠

COVID-19 Impact

International workshops were canceled due to pandemic restrictions, requiring rapid adaptation to virtual delivery formats and innovative online engagement strategies.

📊

Survey Response Limitations

Limited survey responses in some countries highlighted regional disparities and the need for targeted outreach strategies to reach underrepresented communities.

📶

Connectivity Challenges

Connectivity issues in remote regions revealed infrastructure gaps that impact participation and highlighted the digital divide across participating countries.

Future Directions & Sustainability

Building on success for long-term impact

🔗

Hybrid Training Expansion

Introduce innovative hybrid training formats that combine online accessibility with hands-on practical sessions, maximizing reach while maintaining quality.

👩‍🏫

Mentorship Programs

Continue and expand mentorship initiatives through SAFE platforms, creating structured long-term career development pathways for participants.

🚀

Advanced Technical Projects

Propose specialized advanced technical projects for program alumni, creating opportunities for continued growth, innovation, and technical leadership.

🎯

Specialized Programs

Develop targeted programs addressing specific technical domains and career advancement needs of female engineers at different experience levels.

🌍

Regional Network Expansion

Extend program reach to additional countries and institutions across the broader Asian region, scaling successful methodologies and approaches.

🤝

Industry Partnerships

Strengthen collaborations with industry leaders to provide internships, job placement opportunities, and real-world experience for program graduates.

Sustainable Development Goals

Aligned with global development objectives

SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals