February 8, 2021
Xiangqun Zeng, distinguished professor of analytical chemistry, was invited to give a talk during a virtual celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The February 11 event is hosted by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in collaboration with the Leibniz‐Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT) and Space Foundation.
Zeng’s talk is entitled “Women and Their Roles in STEM Education and Leadership” and she is among 24 scholars selected to be featured speakers for the event. They include two Nobel Prize recipients, Frances H. Arnold (Chemistry) and Donna Strickland (Physics), as well as Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former president of the Republic of Mauritius, an island nation off the coast of East Africa.
“STEM training is critically needed to answer the major issues affecting humanity,” Zeng said. “A large STEM workforce will grow the world's economy and fight major environmental and health challenges. Let’s work together to make sure all children in the world receive the best STEM education, and they will save the planet.”
Other event participants will include female faculty, scholars and students at 350 member universities of the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), other universities around the world, and national commissions.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established in December 2015 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to create an annual international day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities.