Photo captioned: Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Daryl Vaz (centre) pictured with (from left), Associate Dean for Student Experience, University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr Marvadeen Singh Wilmot, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, Araia Goodrich, Britney Richards, Callay Jattal, Fredrena Smith, and Kobi Wilcott. The occasion was the inaugural 'Classroom to Real World STEM Mentorship Workshop', held on March 18, at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) corporate offices in Kingston.

The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET) has partnered with the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) to execute the ‘Walking in Her Footsteps' mentorship programme. The programme was conceptualised and launched by the Faculty on February 11, 2022 as part of its celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In supporting the mentorship programme, the Ministry organised in partnership with the National Commission on Science and Technology and the Scientific Research Council the ‘Classroom to Real World STEM Mentorship Workshop’ held on Friday, March 18, 2022.  The workshop aimed to connect students of science with professionals within the industry across the world.

Speaking at the event, held at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica's corporate offices in New Kingston, portfolio minister, Daryl Vaz, said the occasion was symbolic of the Government's commitment to fostering greater inclusion in the scientific arena. “We are cognizant at this Ministry of the role of science in creating new knowledge, improving education, and increasing the quality of life for our people. We are quite pleased that as students, you all have answered this very important call to pursue STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines,” he said.

Dr. Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot, Associate Dean for the Student Experience in the Faculty of Science and Technology at The UWI, Mona and coordinator of "Walking in Her Footsteps" commented that the FST is happy to have the MSET as one of its partners and informed the gathering that each student in the program will be spending a day at work with an outstanding female STEM professional.  She said the FST has also opened this opportunity to girls from a number of high schools through its partnership with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has also invited its collaborators in various tertiary institutions across Jamaica and the Caribbean to participate.

The event was attended by fourteen female students across different disciplines in the Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona.