Promoting Women's Participation in Underrepresented Academic Fields through STEM Outreach and Educational Collaboration

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta recognises the importance of promoting gender equality across academic disciplines, particularly in fields where women have historically experienced barriers to participation and professional advancement. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education plays an increasingly important role in creating opportunities for innovation, scientific research, digital transformation, and economic development. Encouraging young women to explore these fields is therefore an important part of promoting inclusive access to higher education. During 2024–2025, the University implemented educational outreach activities introducing secondary-school students to science and technology programmes, participated in initiatives addressing women's development in STEM, and promoted public awareness of gender disparities in scientific careers.

These activities contribute to the wider institutional objective of creating an academic environment in which prospective female students can explore educational opportunities according to their interests, abilities, and aspirations.

1. Encouraging Prospective Students to Explore Science and Technology

On 18–19 September 2024, the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) welcomed students from SMAIT Al-Marjan, Bekasi, and SMA Bina Insan Mandiri, Bogor. The visiting students, including female and male pupils, were introduced to academic facilities, scientific research activities, and programmes offered by the Faculty. Participants visited the Integrated Laboratory Centre and observed research facilities supporting education in science and technology.

The programme included explanations of scientific experiments, academic curricula, career prospects, and opportunities for educational financial assistance. These activities were designed to help prospective students understand the possibilities available through university-level science and technology education. For female pupils, participation in such activities provides early exposure to academic environments and scientific disciplines that may otherwise appear unfamiliar or difficult to access. The programme also created opportunities for students to ask questions and consider science-related higher education pathways.

This outreach demonstrates that the Faculty actively introduces science and technology education to prospective students, including girls, through direct school engagement and exposure to university facilities.

2. Promoting Access to STEM Education through School Partnerships

The University continued its engagement with prospective students through a campus visit from MA Mathlaul Anwar, Pandeglang, on 5 December 2024. The programme involved 112 final-year secondary-school students and was hosted at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

University representatives introduced the Faculty's academic environment, study programmes, laboratory facilities, and opportunities for further education. The academic presentation was delivered by the Faculty's Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Cooperation, Dr. Khodijah Hulliyah, an academic in the Informatics Engineering Study Programme. Students also received guidance on selecting academic pathways according to their interests and strengths. The event provided prospective applicants with information about university admission opportunities and the educational disciplines available at UIN Jakarta. The involvement of a female academic leader from Informatics Engineering also provided students with a visible example of women's professional participation in technology-related higher education. Although the activity was not advertised exclusively for female students, it gave participating girls the opportunity to explore science and technology programmes and interact with university representatives.

3. Expanding University Outreach during the 2025 Admissions Cycle

On 16 January 2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta conducted student-admission outreach at SMAIT Pesantren Daarul Quran Mulia in Gunung Sindur, Bogor. The programme involved approximately 1,000 secondary-school students and members of the teaching community. University representatives introduced available faculties, study programmes, admission pathways, scholarships, and graduate career opportunities.

The information session also included opportunities for prospective students to ask questions about academic programmes and university entry. Such outreach activities support access to higher education by helping school students make informed decisions about their educational future. Information concerning academic programmes and scholarships can be particularly important for prospective applicants who lack familiarity with the university application process. The 2025 programme formed part of the University's wider efforts to engage secondary schools and expand awareness of available study opportunities. Although the event did not specifically target girls seeking admission to underrepresented disciplines, it demonstrates an established institutional approach to school-based admissions outreach.

4. Supporting Women in STEM through Cross-Institutional Engagement

In addition to University-led outreach, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta was represented in a national initiative focusing directly on women's participation in science and technology. On 21 November 2024, USAID's Higher Education Partnerships Initiative and Dow organised “Her Power in STEM: Advancing Sustainability for the Future.”

The programme brought together representatives from Indonesian higher education institutions, including Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Binus University, UIN Jakarta, and Universitas Esa Unggul. The initiative addressed gender stereotypes, professional opportunities, women's leadership, and career development in scientific and technological industries. Women working in engineering, technology, and business shared professional experiences and discussed barriers faced by women entering STEM-related careers.

The activities also introduced innovation and sustainability initiatives from technology and industrial organisations. The workshop encouraged participants to recognise that women can pursue scientific and technical careers and contribute to leadership and innovation. UIN Jakarta's documented participation demonstrates institutional engagement with a wider network promoting women's development in fields where gender disparities remain a concern. The programme was organised by external partners, and its documented objectives concern women in STEM more broadly rather than recruitment specifically to UIN Jakarta.

5. Increasing Awareness of Women's Underrepresentation in Science

The University's commitment to gender-related discussion in scientific fields is also reflected in its public academic publications. On 17 October 2024, UIN Jakarta published an article entitled “The Role of Women in Science”, written by Professor Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem. The article examined gender disparities in research and scientific achievement, particularly the limited representation of women among internationally influential scientists.

Using data from scientific rankings, the article highlighted structural differences in women's participation across research disciplines and recognised the achievements of Indonesian female scientists. The publication contributed to public discussion about women's scientific careers and the importance of representation in research and higher education. Publicly recognising the achievements of female academics helps challenge assumptions about women's abilities and professional opportunities in scientific disciplines. While this publication does not itself constitute a recruitment programme, it demonstrates that the University participates in raising awareness of gender-related challenges within the scientific community.

6. Connecting Educational Outreach with Gender-Inclusive Opportunities

The University's educational outreach programmes and gender-related academic engagement provide complementary contributions to inclusive higher education. School visits to the Faculty of Science and Technology introduce prospective students to scientific programmes, research facilities, and professional opportunities. Admissions outreach helps school students understand university entry pathways and available financial assistance.

Participation in the Her Power in STEM initiative connects the University with organisations working to address gender stereotypes and strengthen women's development in technical fields. Academic publications concerning women's scientific achievements contribute to wider awareness of gender disparities. Together, these activities create opportunities to expose prospective female students to STEM education and challenge assumptions that may discourage women from considering scientific careers. Further gender-targeted recruitment campaigns and sex-disaggregated application data would strengthen evidence of their direct contribution to increasing women's applications in underrepresented programmes.

7. Contribution to SDG 5: Gender Equality

During 2024–2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta implemented educational outreach programmes and participated in external initiatives relevant to increasing women's opportunities in science and technology. The University's Faculty of Science and Technology welcomed secondary-school students, introduced scientific programmes and laboratory facilities, and provided information on academic and professional pathways.

Its participation in a women-focused STEM initiative also demonstrated engagement with organisations addressing gender disparities in technical careers. Through these initiatives, the University contributed to raising awareness of educational opportunities and encouraging broader participation in scientific fields. These activities provide documented evidence of gender-inclusive STEM outreach and cross-institutional engagement. However, further evidence is required to establish whether the University implemented a dedicated recruitment campaign explicitly encouraging female applications to academic disciplines in which women were underrepresented. The University's continued development of targeted outreach, gender-responsive recruitment information, and programme-level application monitoring would further strengthen its contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 5.

Source :
https://fst.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/id/kunjungan-smait-al-marjan-kota-bekasi-dan-sma-bina-insan-mandiri-bogor-ke-fst-uin-jakarta 
https://uinjkt.ac.id/id/terima-kunjungan-ma-mathlaul-anwar-uin-jakarta-perkenalkan-lingkungan-kampus 
https://uinjkt.ac.id/id/uin-jakarta-sosialisasikan-jalur-penerimaan-mahasiswa-baru-2025-di-bogor 
https://fmipa.unj.ac.id/pkimia/2024/11/23/pemberdayaan-perempuan-dalam-pekerjaan-di-bidang-stem/ 
https://uinjkt.ac.id/id/peran-perempuan-dalam-ilmu-pengetahuan