Women in Tech APAC partners G4G, Headline Asia School to empower women in S.T .E.A.M.

By Digital News Asia November 1, 2023

Focused on nurturing the next generation of female tech leaders in APAC
Partnered with pitchIN for sustained access to crucial capital for growth, innovation

Winners of the second edition of the WIT APAC Awards

The Malaysia Chapter of the Women in Tech® Global movement recently hosted the second annual WIT APAC Forum and Awards on 25 and 26 October in Kuala Lumpur.

Amid the discussions and activities at the forum, WIT announced an expansion of its partnership with Headline Asia School, a free online programme empowering aspiring female venture capitalists with essential skills for success. This expansion follows the programme’s success during the WIT Global Summit and the IVS KYOTO 2023.

According to the Women in Tech Malaysia, two upcoming WIT APAC cohorts in 2024 and 2025 will have the privilege to participate in the Headline Asia School programme. This strategic collaboration underscores WIT's commitment to empowering women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) and nurturing the next generation of female tech leaders in the Asia Pacific region.

Furthermore, the organisation announced a partnership with pitchIN. This collaboration with the digital fundraising and investment platform is aligned with pitchIN’s mission to bridge the gender gap and empower women to embrace technology and offer a fundraising platform for women founders. This partnership aims to ensure ongoing access to essential capital for growth and innovation.

Additionally, during the Forum, WIT and Project Girls For Girls (G4G) entered into a MoU for a programme aimed at digitally mentoring young women and girls across the Asia Pacific region. Each cohort will undergo a six-week journey, with one session weekly focusing on crucial areas such as building trust, courageous leadership, effective communication, negotiations skills, advocating for oneself and others, public service, and ethical decision-making. Additional mentoring on technical and digital skills will also be provided.

This initiative, facilitated by the globally recognized non-profit organization founded at Harvard University, is dedicated to empowering young women and girls to discover their courage, vision, and leadership potential. WIT's partnership with G4G aims to positively impact the lives of 500 young women and girls aged 19-25.

These two partnerships serve as a testament to WIT's steadfast commitment to supporting women in S.T.E.A.M. throughout their careers. Through mentorship, training, and resources, WIT plays a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive and equitable tech industry for all.

Ayumi Moore Aoki, WIT founder and president said, “With over half of the world's population residing in the region, it is an honor to witness the remarkable achievements of women in tech across the Asia Pacific.” She added “This event marks a significant milestone on the path to the final Women in Tech Global Awards in Sharjah on November 16, 2023, where all the winners from the seven different regions will compete for the Global Titles. This journey exemplifies the global significance of the Asia Pacific region in cultivating talent, leadership, and innovation in the world of technology.”

Women in Tech APAC partners G4G, Headline Asia School to empower women in S.T .E.A.M. Meanwhile, Yuki Aizawa (pic), Women in Tech® Global Movement, APAC director and country director of the Malaysia Chapter, said, "Our chapter's strides are in harmony with our Malaysia’s vision to lead in the digital transformation of ASEAN while fostering a more diverse and inclusive economic landscape.”

She added “We are collaborating with a dynamic ecosystem of partners, including government bodies, academic institutions, corporations, non-government organizations, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. I believe our collective efforts have ignited a force, propelling us towards an awe-inspiring future for Women in S.T.E.A.M."

The WIT APAC Forum 2023 featured a rich programme including discussions spanning the startup and funding scenes, emerging technologies such as AI, green tech, and innovation. It also included keynote presentations by speakers and high-value peer-to-peer sessions. The highlight of this year being an engaging Oxford-style debate, where participants will closely interact to share knowledge, define common projects, and set the roadmap for accountability.

The four key themes of the forum encompassed:

Startup scene: Women Entrepreneurs/Founders/Investors/VCs - Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World
Classroom to boardroom: Shortage of S.T.E.A.M. talents/ Financial Industry
Digital Inclusion Emerging Tech: AI / Green Tech & Innovation
Driving Economic Boost through Women's Empowerment: Government x Corporate x NPO

In addition to the forum, the Women in Tech® Global Movement hosted the second edition of the WIT APAC Awards on the evening of 26 October in Kuala Lumpur. A regional jury composed of experts in the technology field came together to adjudicate and recognise women, as well as some men, who are making a significant impact in S.T.E.A.M. The Awards ceremony honored outstanding individuals in the following nine categories: