aboutWids
Data is driving the present and shaping the future!
The number of jobs requiring data science skills is expected to grow by 27.9% by 2026 (according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) making now the best time to start a career in data Science.
WiDS Armenia 2022 is an independent event that is organized by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation as part of the annual WiDS Worldwide conference organized by Stanford University and an estimated 200+ locations worldwide, which features outstanding women doing outstanding work in the field of data science. All genders are invited to attend all WiDS Worldwide conference events. Due to collaboration between Stanford University and EIF Armenia also has WIDS Ambassadors.
One of the most important objectives of the event is empowering women and girls to become drivers of change through data science.
The topic of this year’s conference is ‘WIDS Armenia 2022: Data Science for Sustainable Development’ and it will focus on the social and economic impact of data science in the fields of agriculture, hospitality and ICT/high-tech sectors and education. The conference will take place on May 21, 2022, at Gyumri Technology Center (GTC).
WIDS Armenia 2022 will be implemented by Enterprise Incubator Foundation in partnership with Armenia Workforce Development Activity, Safe YOU, ISTC Foundation, Microsoft innovation center, Gyumri and Vanadzor Technology Centers.
Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) is one of the largest technology agencies, driving the development of the ICT/High tech sector in Armenia and promoting tech innovation in the region. For 20 years, EIF delivered large scale institutional initiatives that include different funding schemes for scientists, startups and high-tech businesses; building infrastructure and ecosystem for tech companies all over the country. In recent years EIF also took a course on enhancing the knowledge and professional skills of Armenian women and youth as one of the primary areas of focus in recent years.
Celebrating 20 years of excellence and shaping the future! EIF stands tall with a stronger legacy of partnerships, growth, and innovation.
The Goal
WIDS Armenia 2022 aims to present the importance of analyzing and using big data in the fields of ICT/High-tech, agriculture and hospitality to ensure sustainable development and encourage young people, especially women to find their career path in data science. The conference will be followed by an intensive course on Data Science, designed and delivered within the framework of the Armenia Workforce Development Activity.
About organizers.
Enterprise Incubator Foundation
Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) is one of the largest technology agencies, driving the development of ICT/High tech sector in Armenia and promoting tech innovation in the region. For 20 years, EIF has designed and delivered large scale institutional initiatives and pioneered disruptive approaches to foster technological innovation and scientific advances. The scope of initiatives includes different funding schemes for scientists, startups and high-tech businesses; building infrastructure and ecosystem for tech companies all over the country; boosting competitiveness of Armenian businesses in global markets; establishing R&D centers for multinationals; also consultations and transfers of the know-how to governments and agencies in other countries.
Each initiative is a complex and inclusive platform, where private and public sector, academia, research institutions and multinational corporations cooperate, leverage each other's knowledge, for shared interest, targets and goals.
Examples of such initiatives are:
• Gyumri Technology Center,
• Vanadzor Technology Centers,
• Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC),
• Innovation Solutions and Technologies Center (ISTC),
• The Armenian-Indian Center for Excellence in ICT (AITC),
• Engineering City (EC),
• Armenian National Engineering Labs (ANEL),
• Mobile Solutions Regional Laboratory (mLab ECA),
• “CyHub Armenia” cybersecurity initiative (CyHub),
• National Supercomputing Center of Armenia (NSCA),
• Science Incubation (SI),
• Innovation and Regional Matching grants competition (IMG/RMG);
• Engineering Week and ArmTech yearly events, etc.
Armenia Workforce Development Activity (AWDA) is a five-year program, designed to provide the youth and women with the opportunities to improve their skills in line with labor market needs and find employment in the fields of - ICT/high-tech - agriculture - tourism and hospitality.The program is funded by the US Agency for International Development and will be implemented by Enterprise Incubator Foundation with Armenian National Agrarian University, Fund of Armenian Relief and CIVITTA Armenia.
Safe YOU's mission is to create and maintain a virtual safe space where women are able to seek out help from their community, in a secure and supportive environment. We aim to enhance all existing solutions rather than replace them and to bring this solution to women from all over the world, from all walks of life. We dream of a day where Safe YOU will no longer be a necessary application for women but until that day we will continue to work to help protect, educate and empower women all around the world.Safe YOU was recognised in June of 2021 as a Digital Public Good as set by the United Nations Secretary General’s 2020 Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. Accordingly, Safe YOU contributes to the attainment of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, specifically the SDG 5, Gender Equality.
Gyumri Technology Center (GTC)
The Gyumri Technology Center (GTC) has been established by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the RA Government and the World Bank. The goals of the Center include development of technical and business skills, promotion of technological entrepreneurship, commercialization of innovative research undertakings, creation of new technology companies, attracting of foreign investment and others.
The mission of the Center is to turn Gyumri into a regional and international center of information and high technologies through creating an enabling environment of opportunities and services that would promote job creation, will support talented youth and provide incentives for innovative business ideas and companies ultimately contributing to the sustainable growth of the region.
Vanadzor Technology Center (VTC)
Vanadzor Technology Center (VTC) was established by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation with the support of Government of Armenia and the World Bank.
The mission of Vanadzor Technology Center is to turn Vanadzor into a regional and international center of information and high technologies by creating such a developing environment of opportunities and services that will contribute to the creation of new jobs and will support the talented young people and organizations to implement innovative business ideas contributing to the sustainable development of the region.
ISTC Foundation is one of the leading innovation centers in Armenia, founded by joint initiative of IBM, USAID,
Armenian Government and Enterprise Incubator Foundation since 2015. The Legal entity was registered in 2018.
Leveraging resources provided by IBM, USAID, EIF, and other partners, we've created a unique platform gathering students, professors, researchers, and startup enthusiasts for building innovative solutions to the global challenges.
ISTC is devoted to contributing to position Armenia as one of the leading tech hubs of the world.
Microsoft Innovation Center Armenia, jointly established by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Microsoft Corporation and EIF in 2011, is a part of the global network of innovation expansion and development in IT.
MIC Armenia is an innovative and effective approach to build core competencies in business and soft skills in technology among a growing number of small and medium IT companies. It also encourages education institutions to embrace new knowledge to meet the current and future market demand by providing an infrastructure and resources.
MIC has trained more than 10,000 students, the vast majority of which has started from the fundamental course, having no degree or technical background. 70% of the trained students have passed the whole learning route and are currently employed by IT companies both in Armenia and abroad.
MIC collaborates with industry leaders to design market-relevant bootcamp programs to prepare ready-to-work professionals that cater various industries and/or create their own ventures. Since 2011, MIC organized more than 50 coding bootcamps, partnering with 70+ software development companies, ensuring over 90% employability of coding bootcamp graduates.
Target Groups
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Speakers - female data scientists, who will share the talks regarding the usage of data in non-tech sector.
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Panelists - young female data scientists, who work in the sector of high-tech and will share their professional expertise and thoughts
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Workshop leads - Young females, who will design the final concept of the workshops and will support the empowerment of the participants in data visualization.
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Event designers - Young students & school children who will support the event team members, workshop leads, and other groups through different initiatives, activities (PR & visualization, raising awareness, concept writing, logistics, etc.)
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Attendees - Young people, who will get enrolled through an online application platform