STEM project “FRIDA” receives Impact of Diversity Award 2024
IU International University of Applied Sciences promotes gender diversity in STEM fields and receives award
IU International University of Applied Sciences promotes gender diversity in STEM fields and receives award.
Erfurt, 8 July, 2024. At this year's Impact of Diversity Award, the project "FRIDA - Women in the digital world of work" received the award in the "Women in STEM/MINT" category. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) launched this project two years ago together with the #SheTransformsIT initiative and Bitkom e.V.. The aim is to make inspiring women from the digital sector visible, present exciting fields in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and highlight the diverse opportunities for women in the digital world of work - because too few women who are interested in the STEM sector actually pursue a corresponding educational or career path. An IU study from 2022 shows that one of the main reasons for this is the lack of female role models. FRIDA makes these digital role models visible in inspiring short video series. Around 50 women in IT provide authentic insights into the digital world of work and tell their stories as role models. The first series in 2022/23 was met with an enormously positive response from the public, political sphere and businesses, so a second video series came quickly and can currently be seen on social media.
Barbara Lutz , initiator of the Impact of Diversity Award: "With the Impact of Diversity Award, we want to recognise outstanding individuals and initiatives that highlight the positive impact of diversity and inclusion on our society. Current developments show us that it has never been more important to explain the value and impact of diversity and make it accessible to many people.""
Lena Sälzle , FRIDA project initiator and Public Affairs Officer at IU, accepted the award in person at the award ceremony on 4 July in Kronberg im Taunus: "Barbara Lutz highlighted some impressive initiatives at this year's Impact of Diversity Symposium. All of them deserved the award. It fills me with hope that the banquet hall was filled with people who stand for diversity, equity and inclusion and are committed to them every day - especially in these times, when democratic values are being called into question and our society faces major challenges. FRIDA and this award would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of everyone involved. The award has shown that we must continue. And we will."
The award honours the project's great efforts to ensure that educational pathways in the tech industry are no longer seen as the exception for schoolgirls, but instead represent real alternatives.
More than 200 projects were submitted for the Impact of Diversity Award, which were initially put to a public vote. A 32-member jury from science and business fields, as well as associations and initiatives then selected the winners in a total of 16 categories.
In addition to the FRIDA project, the IU initiative "Culture of Everyone" also made it into the top 10 finalists of the Audience Award. An initiative that strengthens diversity, tolerance and openness within the university and in public.
Special thanks to all FRIDA participants
Project founder Lena Sälzle would particularly like to thank all the "FRIDAs", i.e. all the tech women who shared their success stories and put their trust in the initiative, Kim Klebolte, who came up with the idea for FRIDA with her, Pauline Bombeck, who fights with her every day for the success of the project, the film team Moritz Veit and Sebastian Nagel, Jil Rau and Maresa Eberl, who held all the threads together, and IU Chancellor Prof. Dr Alexandra Wuttig and Alexandrea Swanson for their trust and support.
More women in STEM: a project close to the heart at IU
FRIDA is part of an extensive IU campaign to get more women interested in technical professions and technology-oriented degree programmes. Committed female IU professors are conducting interdisciplinary research into the causes of the problem, highlighting effective solutions and introducing young female students to the world of IT through interactive and informative formats (e.g. in lecture series) - for a more inclusive, unprejudiced world of IT and technology. Further information on the campaign can be found at https://www.iu.de/women-in-tech .
All information about “FRIDA – Women in the digital world of work” at:
https://www.we-are-frida.de/de
ABOUT IMPACT OF DIVERSITY
The Impact of Diversity Award + Think Tank is a platform that brings together initiatives, experts, representatives from politics and science as well as decision-makers from companies. The common goal: to highlight the positive impact of diversity and inclusion on companies and society and to raise awareness of the topic among the general public. The prize was awarded for the first time in 2021. The initiators Barbara Lutz have been supporting companies and organisations in driving transformation processes for more than ten years. www.impact-of-diversity.com
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
Contact
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IU International University of Applied Sciences Press Department |
People in the pictures:
- Lena Sälzle, FRIDA project initiator and public affairs officer at IU International University of Applied Sciences
- Pauline Bombeck, FRIDA project partner and head of #SheTransformsIT (Bitkom e.V.)
- Barbara Lutz, initiator of Impact of Diversity
- Adrian Ehrenberg, HR Social Sustainability Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, MTU Aero Engines (gave the laudatory speech for the category Women in STEM/MINT)