The first TechGirls Taiwan team in the U.S.
July 29, 2022
Photo: Rep. Bi-Khim Hsiao, Taipei Econbomic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (forth from the left) with Dr. Aaron Chen, Director of the Education Division (first from the left) with TechGirls Taiwan team
Taiwan was invited to participate in the TechGirls Program at the U.S.’ State Department this year for the first time. Three female high school students stood out from more than 400 applicants and came to the United States to participate in a four-week training course and cultural visits.
TechGirls is an international summer exchange program designed to empower and inspire young women from around the world to pursue careers in science and technology. It is an Initiative of the U.S. ‘ State Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since 2012, TechGirls has trained and mentored 392 teenage girls (ages 15-17) from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen. In 2019, the program expanded to include young women from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan). In 2022, the program will expand to support approximately 111 young women from 35 participating countries/territories and 25 U.S. peers in a dynamic four week U.S.- based experience with a 8-month mentoring program (including pre- and post-exchange).
The core of the program is a 27-day experience in the United States in partnership with Virginia Tech University. TechGirls participate in an interactive technology and computer camp, then virtually travel to one of the following cities (Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Portland or Seattle) for community and career explorations. The TechGirls programming yields a multiplier effect as participants return home to educate their peers and create community based projects.
TechGirls is packed with skill-development workshops and interactions with America’s most innovative tech professionals as well as 40 hours of study at a Tech Camp with our partner the Center for Enhancement in Engineering Diversity at Virginia Tech. The TechGirls program offers a rich cultural immersion experience, improves the participants’ ability to enter tech fields and encourages them to pursue higher education in fields where women are underrepresented.
Ambassador Hsiao hosted a dinner at the Twin Oaks Estate for the Taiwan team on 28 July and encouraged them to continue pursuing STEM education in preparation for their careers. The Taiwan team enjoyed the program as well as friendship they made during their stay in the U.S.. They will become Ambassadors for recruiting next year’s TechGirls team.