Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology (GGAST) is a pioneering, socio-economically diverse upper-secondary STEM boarding school designed to provide 275 of the most promising young women of Rwanda with college prep education. In our second year of watching our alumnae graduate from college, we realize the need to provide support as they transition to careers. Our alumnae program seeks to connect alumnae to each-other, mentors, job opportunities and training to lead to future success.
Our Alumnae Program seeks to address several problems. 1) Women in STEM drop out of college at much greater rate than men. Additionally, women leave their STEM related fields in the first few years in their career at much great rate than men. The difference in success? Mentorship! 2) Talking with alumnae, we realize that we need to support our students as they transition to college and into their careers post college.
Our Alumnae Program will assist to solve this problem by 1) Provide training, mentorship, career counseling and female role models to support these young women in their studies in fields that are dominated by men. 2) Provide support and training in applying for college, what to expect when you go to college, where to find support, resume writing, financial literacy, as well as opportunities for internships and job placement post college graduation.
As a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) school, our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has nurtured students to become leaders in the country in academic and entrepreneurial achievements that will help transform the nation, and continent by developing the next generation of scientists, social entrepreneurs, advocates and thought leaders who will bring new insights and solutions to the biggest global challenges we face.
