The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) in collaboration with Network of Nigerian Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (NWiSTEM) and Women's Dignity Initiative Incorporated (WDII) has held its first career development workshop at the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA. The Workshop, part of efforts to equip scholars with intellectual tools that can enable them advance academically and have a healthy work/ life balance took place on Tuesday April 16,2024.
The Vice Chancellor, FUTA who was also one of the guest speakers at the event, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who spoke on the topic: Advancing beyond limits: Proven Strategies for. Career Women in STEM, said women must eliminate the mentality that promotes limitations adding that women must function with the same mental capacity as their male counterparts.
Professor Oladiji reiterated that women do not have any excuse not to succeed in any fields of endeavor as they have been equipped intellectually with the same resources their male counterparts have. She said women over time have shattered the glass ceilings in all areas of Science and Technology by winning laurels and achieving significantly notable scientific breakthroughs.
The don highlighted ways in which women can advance their career. She said " Take charge of your life. Make decisions and stand by them. Learn, relearn and strategically develop yourself. Listen to other people and learn with patience and humility. “She stressed the importance of attending workshops and conferences for networking and value addition.
The Editor in Chief, FEMS Microbiology Ecology and Department, Chair, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA, Professor Max Haggblom who joined the workshop via Zoom, gave tips on paper and article writing. He said the key way to communicate with people is by publishing papers in reputable journals adding that a society will only prosper when it invests in scientific research and innovation. Professor Haggblom said the aim of writing papers is to solve societal issues and advance knowledge on a topic. According to him "Hypotheses are critical and this must be clearly stated in a concise Abstract. Your work must change the way people see what you are talking about. Be humble enough to compare your results to previously published papers in your areas of specialization. You must therefore be objective and open to criticism if your research will fill the knowledge gap".
Earlier, the Chairperson, OWSD, FUTA, Professor Folasade Olajuyigbe said the major activities of OWSD include research collaboration among women scientists, networking and information sharing to enhance career development of members, mentoring and engaging government and communities to promote the education of the girl child. She appreciated the Vice Chancellor for her unwavering support and commended women scientists in FUTA for raising the bar and contributing meaningfully to science, innovative and development in Nigeria.
The impactful workshop was attended by staff and students of the university community.
