Bishkek Schoolchildren Step into STEM Careers at a Hydropower Plant

As the name suggests, the STEM4Her event was primarily aimed at the senior schoolgirls. At the event, they joined discussions with role models from the energy sector about education and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and energy. Women leaders, including Nurzat Abdyrasulova, President of UNISON Group, and Eleonora Kazakova, Chairperson of the “Renewable Energy Sources in the Kyrgyz Republic” Association, and Ilze Purina, the EU-funded SECCA Project Key Expert in Energy Governance, shared their stories of breaking barriers and building careers in sustainable energy. Taalaibek Mambetaliev, Deputy Director General of the Chakan Small Hydropower Plant, presented about the work of the plant and how water generates clean energy.

School №65 was awarded the title of the Most Energy-Efficient School in 2023 by the EU, making it a fitting participant.

Hans Farnhammer, Chargé d'affaires of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic, remarked: “Initiatives like STEM4Her empower girls and invest in future female leaders who will drive innovation and the green transition. Energy is not just about technology – it is about people, ideas, and opportunities. The EU is proud to support the energy sector in Central Asia with our flagship regional projects Kambarata-1 Hydropower Plant and SECCA, and making sure that women will be part of work force of the energy sector in the future”.

Currently, women account for about 30-40% of STEM graduates but make up only 18% of the energy sector workforce in Kyrgyzstan. The event increased the girls’ awareness about clean energy and encouraged them to imagine their futures in STEM. It ended with a lively STEM4Her quiz, where the girls tested their knowledge of sustainable energy and celebrated the winners with prizes and group photos.

The event was organised by the EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)”.

Background: 

The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.

The European Union – Kyrgyzstan Sustainable Energy Days is part of the broader European Union – Central Asia Sustainable Energy Days campaign. Its purpose is to enhance the awareness of national stakeholders and the public in the region of Central Asia on the significance, benefits and accessibility of sustainable energy and the interlinkage between energy and climate change. It also represents a global edition of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the largest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, initiated in 2007 by the European Commission. 

The EU-funded project “Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA)” (from March 2022 to March 2026) aims to promote a sustainable energy mix in the Central Asia region in line with EU best practices. SECCA strives to provide for strengthened and more inclusive policy, regulatory and institutional framework for the transition to a sustainable energy system, within a regional context. It also focuses on raising the public’s awareness about energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE), and improving investment climate for EE and RE projects.