Cisco Tasks Young Females On ICT

The General Manager,
English West Africa, Cisco Systems Nigeria Ltd, Mr Dare Ogunlade, on Friday urged young females to have positive mind set towards embracing Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ogunlade told newsmen in Lagos that the biggest limitation for young females not being interested in taking up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects was their mind set.
He said that the students believed that the subjects were difficult and not meant for females but males.
According to him, Cisco is encouraging girls to consider ICT as a valuable career option, and ensuring a gender balanced workforce.
“Despite the obvious benefits of ICT, many girls never ever consider a career in ICT. There is a lack of awareness among students, teachers and parents as to what a career in ICT could offer.
“We understand the value of diversity in the workforce and it is our aspiration to build a gender balanced workforce.
“To this end, Cisco hosted its Global Mentorship Initiative called ”Girl Power Tech” to encourage girls and young women in more than 50 countries and 80 Cisco office to discover the opportunities opened by careers in technology,’’ he said.
Ogunlade said that the initiative was held on April 23 to commemorate the global ‘Girls in ICT Day, which was initiated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
He said that the “Girls in ICT Day” initiative was in its fourth year that ITU and Cisco had been participating from the very beginning.
Ogunlade said that Cisco’s mentorship programme included office visits, meeting with Cisco female employees to discuss career opportunities and life in IT and meetings with other Girls in ICT Day participants via Cisco telepresence.
According to him, Cisco has an enduring commitment to encouraging students of all backgrounds to build careers in ICT.
“In 2014, Cisco employees spent 24,600 hours mentoring young men and women about the value of careers in technology,’’ he said.
Cisco is a multinational IT company that designs, manufactures and sells networking equipment.