SheSTEM, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Walton Group to promote greater inclusion of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions in Bangladesh.
The MoU was signed by Bijon Islam, co-founder and CEO of LightCastle Partners, and Kowsar Uddin Chowdhury, executive director (human resources) of Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC, during a ceremony at Amari Dhaka hotel in Gulshan.
“This collaboration with Walton not only strengthens future talent pipelines but also shows how industry, academia, and development partners can come together to address national challenges,” said Bijon Islam.
Kowsar Uddin Chowdhury added that the initiative will help create a more diverse and skilled workforce by bridging academic learning with practical industry exposure.
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As part of the partnership, 120 industry attachment opportunities will be offered to women pursuing STEM education, enabling them to gain hands-on experience at Walton, one of Bangladesh’s leading technology companies.
The SheSTEM programme is implemented by a consortium led by LightCastle Partners, in collaboration with 10 Minute School, a2i, DevLearn Consulting, and Policy Exchange Bangladesh.
Although women make up 21 percent of STEM graduates in Bangladesh, fewer than 1 percent enter STEM-related professions. This initiative aims to address this challenge—often described as the “leaky pipeline”—through skills training, mentorship, and workplace experience.
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The signing event was attended by Nishat Tasnim Suchi, director of Walton Group; Thijs Woudstra, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh; Mushfiqa Zaman Satiar, senior policy adviser of SRHR and gender at the embassy; and representatives of all consortium partners.