Press release

Students raise funds for Black Girls Code charity

Published on 12 August 2020

The Dundee University Computing Society in collaboration with the Women in STEM Society organised an exciting fundraising event to raise funds for the charity Black Girls Code

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black girls at computers learning to code

Black Girls Code is a US-based initiative with a vision to increase the number of BAME women in the digital space by empowering girls aged 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. They do this by hosting hackathons, training events and summer school activities and so far have reached over 20,000 girls.

The students hosted an online virtual bingo night with prizes courtesy of generous donations from local businesses, alumni and students.

Janet Silantoi Laparteleg, an Information and Communication Technology professional and Founder of Butterfly Techies, a community-based organisation empowering girls to take up STEM-related subjects in rural Kenya, joined the event to give an inspiring talk. She was joined by students Nyasha Mutembwa and Stephanie Anani who discussed their experiences as BAME women in STEM. Ticket fees and contributions were donated directly to the charity raising an impressive £451.

“We are very impressed by the initiative shown by our students to support a cause that is central to ethos of the University and has such direct connection with our School. Their thoughtfulness and their creativity in organising an event under the current circumstances has made all of us in the School of Science and Engineering very proud. This is another example of our students leading the way in seeking tech-based solutions to topical, global challenges.”

Prof José Fiadeiro, Dean, School of Science and Engineering

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Story category Student work/achievement