Tech Women at Technion Israel

High School Students Are Inspired by Technion’s ‘Tech Women’ Event

At Tech Women, outstanding female high school students were encouraged to pursue academic studies in science and engineering.

High-school students at Tech Women 2019

Over 800 outstanding female high school students from all over Israel attended the 4th annual Tech Women 2018 event in November, hosted by Technion to encourage women to study science and engineering. The event was made possible through the generosity of the Rosalyn August Girls Empowerment Mission (GEM) Initiative.

Rosalyn August, who came to Technion for the event with her granddaughter Lauren, told the crowd about her own personal experience as a young woman in the U.S. in the 1960s. At the time, she was discouraged from joining the family business and, eventually, she became an advocate for women breaking the glass ceiling. She also explained why she supports Technion.

“It is clear to me that technology is our future and it is our duty to help integrate women into this field. Trust yourselves, find what you love and love what you do,” Mrs. August asserted, adding that she felt an instant bond with Technion’s quiet, underplayed vibe as soon as she arrived on campus for the first time a decade ago. All of the students who were invited to participate in the event study mathematics and other science and technology related subjects at the highest level. At Technion, they met with female researchers, faculty members and graduate students, as well as visiting laboratories and hearing about the various fields of study.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Marcelle Machluf, Dean of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, said: “I have always had to prove myself, and being the only woman in the room drives me even further.” When Technion first opened in 1924, female students comprised only 6% of the student population. Gradually, and especially during the past decade, the number of female students at Technion has grown considerably, and today they account for 40% of the student body.