A two-day workshop titled “IT’s Her Future,” organized by KPMG Fiji, focused on promoting gender diversity in technology and concluded in Suva yesterday. This workshop is part of KPMG’s successful Insights Program, which has received praise in the firm’s Melbourne and Sydney offices.
The primary goal of the event was to encourage women university students, particularly those not engaged in traditional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines, to explore careers in technology. The workshop included interactive sessions covering topics such as Generative AI and complex problem-solving.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from influential women leaders from KPMG Fiji and Australia while also developing practical skills through workshops on interview strategies and mock applications.
Lisa Apted, managing partner at KPMG Fiji, remarked on the program’s impact, stating, “We have achieved our goal over the last couple of days. If you can see yourselves in those roles, you can be in those roles. This is really important for young women in Fiji and around the world.” She encouraged participants to be open to exploring new fields.
Student participant Jasmine Khan shared her insights, noting the program’s role in challenging gender stereotypes in the tech industry. “I think Fiji is finally challenging the idea that tech is a field only for men, and this generation of women is breaking those stereotypes,” she stated.
Charlotte Dainton, host of the Insights Program, highlighted the significance of showcasing diverse opportunities in technology and empowering women to envision themselves as future leaders in the sector. “Watching young women from both technical and traditionally non-technical fields come together to explore technology is exciting,” Ms. Dainton said.