On 30 April, the TU Austria Congress “Digitalization and Career Orientation under the Aspect of Gender and Diversity” took place at the University of Leoben. In addition to the presentations by Prof. Markus Hengstschläger and Ali Mahlodji, Education Minister Prof. Heinz Faßmann also welcomed around 100 participants from various types of schools.
Technology shapes the society of today and tomorrow. Access to technical and scientific training, degree courses and professions is therefore also a question of gender equality. The future generation in particular will be affected by the consequences of digitalization; no job will be possible without general and specific digital skills. Digital participation will therefore become a fundamental prerequisite for social participation. The congress aims to promote the interests of girls and young women in STEM subjects, with a focus on the topic of “digitalization” and “career orientation”. The focus is on the interdisciplinary exchange of information and experience, getting to know good practice models and expanding the educational repertoire.
Visit by Federal Minister Prof. Heinz Faßmann
Federal Minister Prof. Heinz Faßmann focused on “100 years of women at technical universities in Austria” in his keynote speech. In a historical outline, he outlined university policy and gender-specific developments over the past 100 years. “In the 2017 winter semester, around 95,000 students were enrolled in mint subjects at Austrian universities, only a third of whom were women. The proportion of female mint graduates in the same semester was 36 percent. That is remarkable. Women stick to their choice of study and are slightly more likely to successfully complete their studies - compared to their male colleagues,” explains the Minister. The problem is therefore not the studying, the mastery of the subject or the intellectual requirements, but the choice of course. “Women are much less likely to start a mint course than men, but once they have decided to do so, they are more successful. Political measures must therefore be taken to influence the choice of studies - by awakening interests at an early age in and through the parental home, at primary and elementary school level,” emphasizes Faßmann.
Focus on women at TU Austria
The University of Leoben, which currently holds the presidency, acted as the organizer of the TU Austria focus on “Women in Technology”. In her welcoming address, Vice Rector Dr. Martha Mühlburger outlined the measures that are being taken at the University of Leoben specifically for women: “The women's advancement initiative is primarily intended to support female scientists in their careers, and women with so-called qualification agreements are given special support by the Rectorate.” A major concern is to increase the proportion of female students from the current 25 percent. Special measures are being taken to achieve this: “At all information events - internal and external - the focus is on personal and authentic advice from members of the Montanuniversität Leoben student team. Particular attention is paid to the gender balance in the advisory teams - at least 50 percent of them are female. The female students are 'role models' and should convey to young girls that technical studies are achievable for women 'like you and me' and, above all, worthwhile due to the very good job opportunities.”
Lectures by two proven experts
University Professor Markus Hengstschläger spoke on the topic of “The future will be one way or another: we have to prepare for both”. His theses are: “Every person is born with individual genetic performance requirements. These must be discovered through hard work and turned into outstanding performance through 'extra miles'. Focusing too much on combating weaknesses only takes time away from focusing on strengths and generates average, the greatest enemy of innovation. Not blue-eyed optimists, not fears and pessimists - we need possibilists.”
In his speech, Ali Mahlodji focused on children and teachers: “Our world today is at a turning point in many respects and it has never been so important to take the future into our own hands. And it is up to teachers to let children and young people tell their stories so that these people can write the history of the future.”
Workshops
After the presentations, participants were able to choose from four different workshops:
Smart School: Designing lessons with modern technologies, Teaching computer science skills and strategies, Digital teaching and learning opportunities, Computational Thinking
21st Century Skills & Skills for Sustainable Development: Making children sustainably fit for the future, developing potential, promoting gifted children
Gender-conscious work with pupils: role models, role expectations, how can interaction between pupils be improved? Constructive cooperation, gender measures, gender-sensitive teaching (content, interaction, teaching materials, etc.), specifically: What support is desirable and necessary for girls in relation to STEM? What resources are available?
The working world of tomorrow at the interface of education: STEM & Industry 4.0, Entrepreneurship,What contribution can schools make to the working world of tomorrow?
Further information:
Erhard Skupa
Press spokesman Montanuniversität Leoben
Erhard.skupa(at)unileoben.ac.at
Tel.: 03842/402 7220
Mobile: 0664/808987220
