Driving encouragement and opportunities: celebrating the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science at CityUHK

This year is the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a landmark for empowering women and girls. City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is proud to support the movement towards gender equality in science and technology and to bridge the gender gap by inspiring girls in schools and supporting women in their science studies.

Here we talk to a former student, a dean and an associate vice-president to see their views on inclusion, diversity and equity on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025, which was 11 February.

The alumna story

Graduate Dr Anna Lau embodies the drive at CityUHK to encourage more women and girls to join science and technology communities.

The Chair of the Singapore Alumni Chapter, Dr Lau, completed her bachelor’s, MPhil and PhD studies in electrical engineering at CityUHK, where she was encouraged to join international conferences, patent applications and global research competitions, winning three best paper awards.

“It is crucial to have more women and girls working in science, technology fields for several reasons,” says Dr Lau, citing five strategic reasons.

“Diversity drives innovation,” she says. “Research shows that diverse teams are more innovative and perform better because they bring varied perspectives, experiences, and approaches to problem-solving.”

Next, it is vital we address the talent gap. “Many STEM industries face significant labour shortages. Encouraging women to enter these fields helps fill this gap and ensures a broader talent pool to meet the increasing global demand for expertise in STEM,” she says.

Equity and representation are key points, too. “Seeing more women in science inspires future generations and challenges stereotypes that may discourage girls from pursuing STEM careers,” she argues.

Dr Lau adds that economic growth is intertwined with gender equality with the broader impact of more women and girls in science can lead to discoveries and innovations that address issues affecting them and other underrepresented groups, for example, advancements in healthcare, education, and technology are often enriched by women’s unique insights.

A Dean’s tale

So, how does CityUHK encourage women and girls to pursue academic studies in science and careers as scientists?

“CityUHK is a diverse and inclusive community that encourages students to pursue their dreams regardless of their gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic background,” says Professor Vanessa Barrs, Dean of the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC) at CityUHK.

"One of the strongest encouragements for women and girls to pursue academic studies in science at our institution is our female scientist faculty members in many science-based departments,” she points out, saying these successful faculty are living proof of the successful careers that women can have in science.

Professor Barrs is a case in point. Renowned in her field, she studies infectious diseases, especially in mycology and virology, and she even discovered an emerging agent of invasive aspergillosis in animals and humans in 2013, Aspergillus felis.

So, what can society do to encourage more women and girls to join science and technology communities? Vanessa Barrs says women and girls need more opportunities to interact with successful female scientists, such as the summer programs for high-school students and through various other outreach events that CityUHK organises.

A researcher’s reflections

Networking is vital to encourage more women and girls to take up science careers, says Professor Cheng Shuk Han, Chair Professor of Molecular Medicine (Department of Biomedical Sciences & Department of Materials Science and Engineering) and CityUHK’s Associate Vice President (Research).

“With many communities and academic associations requiring a nomination to join, concerted efforts from established members of these academic associations to proactively nominate women and girls to join will lower the barriers,” Professor Cheng advises.

In addition, just like men and boys, women and girls need encouragement and reassurance to try new areas, she continues, so providing research facilities and technical mentoring where learning can progress at one’s own pace and with constructive criticism would be beneficial.

Another motivation for encouraging science careers among women and girls is the long-term development of society. “Modern society is heavily tech orientated. Therefore, building up a good talent pool of young people in the STEM disciplines will make Hong Kong more competitive in the future,” says Professor Cheng, and women and girls have a huge role to play.

Her key message is: “You are ABLE to succeed: the recipe for success is ability combined with some luck and much effort.”