10 bright eyed, smart and ambitious STEM Filipina college students marched proudly as they weren chosen to be the first batch of SHESTEMS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES in support of UN WOMEN PHILIPPINES.
The SHESTEMS Scholarship Awards is the first project of UN WOMEN Philippines Goodwill Ambassador Karen Davila with the mission of spreading gender equality in all industries, specifically in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Why does this matter for the country? In the year 2025, 75% of most jobs in the world will be needing STEM skilled workers. Today, out of 10 Filipinos working in STEM, only 3 are women. In many STEM related industries today, women are underrepresented and discriminated against. Only 20% of jobs in STEM are held by women, and STEM workers are paid much higher.It is imperative that women are included in this narrative.
To help mainstream STEM as a preferred course or career for Filipino students, in partnership with the University of the Philippines, we have searched for 10 outstanding STEM Filipina college students who can be role models in fields much needed for the future of the Philippines. The selection process was meticulous and the program demands academic excellence, setting a GPA requirement of 1.75.
Our awardees will be receiving PHP 120,000 in financial support a year, mentorship, nurturing and networking opportunities.The SHESTEMS scholars, gathering from all over the country, embarked on an empowering 3-day program designed to elevate their leadership capabilities, deepen their understanding of gender equality, reinforce their roles as future women leaders in STEM.
Scholars with Lenlen Mesina at UN Women Office, Mandaluyong
The scholars visited the UN Women office, where they participated in an insightful discussion led by Lenlen Mesina, who underscored the global significance of gender equality and the critical role these scholars will play as advocates for change as women in STEM fields.
Karen Davila with the Scholars at the Franklin Covey Leadership Training Workshop
Facilitated by the Center for Leadership and Change, Inc., the scholars underwent a specialized leadership training session under FranklinCovey. This training equipped them with the essential skills to lead with confidence, preparing them to excel in male-dominated industries and to be catalysts for positive change.
Karen Davila with the scholars at UP Diliman for the Awarding Ceremony
The program culminated in an inspiring awarding ceremony at the University of the Philippines, attended by the UP scholarship team, Karen Davila, and UN Women representatives. The ceremony included the presentation of checks to the scholars, symbolizing their financial support.
Joeimarie’s dream is to become a community researcher in the field of planetary health, contributing to the conservation of the environment to protect human health. With the climate crisis and the Philippines being at the forefront of natural disasters, she is passionate about being an expert in taking care of the sustainability of the planet for generations to come.
Despite her own financial limitations, Joeimarie is already mentoring public highschool students interested in entering STEM, as she herself knows the struggle of finding mentors to help fund her own research projects her own research projects. Scholarship Awards, we aim to develop female role models in the STEM industry and cultivate an environment where more women and girls will be leaders in various STEM fields.
Gwyneth Precious wants to be a pioneering food technologist that studies the physical, chemical, and biological properties of food, that help improve their nutritional life. This is a necessity in the Philippines, as 14.2% of Filipino families experience hunger on a daily basis.
Gwyneth lives this daily struggle, as she relied solely on her single mother solely to finance their schooling, and needs.
Kryzell dreams to become a geologist and work in the field of sustainability. The field of geology is vital to the country, as experts are involved in making a difference in climate change, mitigation, digital transformation, and clean energy transition. Just recently, Filipino geologists have discovered gas hydrates in the Manila Trench that could cause numerous earthquakes.
Kryzell aspires to have a doctorate’s degree in Geology, publishing her own research papers.
Kate aspires to become a successful ASTROSTATISTICIAN, a discipline that spans astrophysics, statistical analysis and data mining. Right now, there are only 3 professional astrophysicists and space scientists in the country. There are no numbers on how many Astrostatisticians there are in the country.
Her mother is a fish vendor, and she lost her father at a young age. She hopes to have a career at the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space science & technology and applications.
Krystel strives to become a Geodetic Engineer and Researcher, with a specialization in Remote Sensing. A Geodetic Engineer gathers physical data on the surface of the earth with the use of precision instruments.
Currently, the construction industry in the Philippines needs more Geodetic Engineers and more women leading this field.Kryzell aspires to have a doctorate’s degree in Geology, publishing her own research papers.
Sophia Rhys aims to become a Neuroscientist, a field commonly associated with men. Neuroscientists work to understand the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nerve cells. Sophia dreams of being a pioneer of discovering a medical breakthrough for brain function.
Neuroscience is commonly a career for more privileged students, but this did not deter Sophia from dreaming bigger.
Elaiza aspires to become an Agriculturist, which is a professional in the science, practice and management of agriculture and agribusiness. Women make up 39% of farmers in the country, but much less hold science positions in the field of agriculture.
Elaiza aims to work in agricultural and environmental sustainability, conduct research and experiments to improve the productivity and sustainability of field crops, which is a national food security issue.
Claire dreams of becoming a Data Analyst, as the country has experienced a surge in the demand for data analyst jobs. Data Analysts plan decision-making, improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and manage risks by interpreting complex data sets.
As the country becomes increasingly data-centric, men outnumber their female colleagues in data science by more than 4 to 1. Claire strives to change this narrative, and find success for women in the data industry.
Gwyneth Ross strives to become a chemical engineer in the research and development of the beauty, health, and wellness industry. Chemical engineers are in high demand in the Philippines, but only 26% of women in the Philippines are engineers.
Gwyneth Ross continues her search to find role models to help her achieve her dream to start up a local manufacturing plant, which will provide livelihood for Filipinos and boost the economy
of the country.
Raiza is an aspiring physician-scientist. Physician-scientists devote their professional effort seeking new knowledge about health, disease, or delivery of patient care through research. In the Philippines there is only 1 doctor for every 40 Filipinos. Combining both her love for research and medicine, she hopes to improve the quality of medicine in the Philippines.
Each scholar’s journey is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and unwavering determination. These young women are not just the future; they are shaping the present, embodying the spirit of leadership and innovation.
