Founders Ndoni Mcunu

PhD candidate

Global Change and Sustainability Research Institute, University of Witswatersrand (South Africa)

Mantombi Ngoloyi

PhD candidate

Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and Synthetic Imaging at Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (France)

BWIS Focus Purpose

1. To promote the awareness and exposure of the various research careers and opportunities to the emerging researchers.

2. To promote a postgraduate culture amongst South African students and higher learning institutions.

3. To expose science as a career choice for young black females in remote rural areas in South Africa, through linking professional scientists with rural / disadvantaged young black women.

4. To encourage a culture of mentorship, tutoring and community development amongst our tertiary BWIS Emerging Researchers.

BWIS South Africa • University students to pursue

careers in research and

science

• Funding opportunities,

improved application writing,

presentation and professional

conduct

• International opportunities

for Masters and PhD

candidates

• Society connecting African postgraduates in international countries.

• Raising awareness of different opportunities available for African students whilst abroad.

• Profiling African students studying abroad highlighting research endeavours.

BWIS International

BWIS International BWIS International • Discussing research progress, challenges, needs and potential collaborations etc.

• Raising awareness to career prospects and opportunities in Africa, preparing postgraduate candidates for their professional careers.

Why Female Student mobility?

Female Leadership

Skills Development

Economic Progress

African Development

International Competitiveness

Why Female Student mobility?

(The Global Gender Gap Report 2016)

Women, Science and Research

Challenges affecting Female Participation

• Financial Resources

• Lack of exposure to international opportunities

• Cultural barriers

• Language barriers

• Lack of understanding on host country

• Gender stereotypes/roles

• Marriage/Family

• Family Tax

Universities Involvement

• Adopting less passive approach: action based student scouting

• Encouraging collaborative projects based on research areas

• Identifying students from undergraduate stage

• Organising short-term student exchange trips/excursions

BWIS Intra-Africa Collaboration BWIS Intra-Africa Student Convention For Female Mobility

• This is a 2-day event to be hosted in South Africa. The event is open to female students and academics from across the continent and representatives from universities associated with the Intra-Africa mobility scheme.

• Focus is to expose students to international opportunities

• Discuss research area of interest

• Networking and collaboration opportunity for students and research teams

• Long- term goal is to host conventions across Africa.

Intra-Africa Road Show

• Use of BWIS committee to present on and promote intra-Africa initiatives in higher institutions across South Africa and within other African countries.

• Explaining mobility scheme and opportunities

• Addressing students concerns

• Helping with student applications

Proposed Activities

Monthly focus meetings

• Hosting monthly meetings highlighting on research conducted in associated African universities.

• An opportunity for students to share testimonials

• Addressing student concerns

• Assisting in application process

Feature in BWIS Scientist YouTube Series

• Video series following African female scientists studying internationally.

• Exposing students academic and personal experiences.

• Facilitates an understanding of a foreign space.

• Encourages females to participate.

Proposed Activities Proposed Activities

Networks and Associations Networks

AESOP + Project Erasmus Mundus

Department of Science and Technology South Africa

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Mandela Washington Fellowship (Young African Leaders Initiative)

Greenmatter

Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio)

International Association for Impact Assessment, South Africa (IAIAsa) WITS

Media Engagements

ENCA South Africa, Destiny Magazine

SABC 1, 3, Cliff Central, SA FM

Africa Business Radio, CNBC Africa

Radio France Internationale

Afristech

Thank You! Black Women

in Science

@BWIS_SA

@BWIS_element

info@bwisglobal.co.za