Chinese Women Engineers Establish First Club in Nanjing in East China's Jiangsu

Female graduate students on the campus of Nanjing University of Science & Technology. (Photo : www.womenofchina.cn)

Jiangsu Province has launched its first female engineer's club in order to change old-fashioned practices over gender discrimination in employment on April 23.

Jointly organized by the specialist engineering Nanjing Tech University and a large industrial gases company based in the United States, Praxair, the club — regarded as a cradle for female Chinese engineers — was officially established in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Female members from a club aimed at presenting female engineers' skills attend their course in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province on April 23. The club is considered the first of its kind in Jiangsu for women, and abolishes the old-fashioned prejudices and gender discrimination against females in regards to their employment. [jschina.com.cn]

Gender imbalance in employment, especially in male-dominated fields, is all too apparent. According to a survey conducted among the global workforce, women who are engaged in high-tech, engineering and math sectors account for only 25 percent of the total worldwide.

"Some females show superior memory ability whilst acquiring a more logical way thinking; they maintain efficiency and a can have a more satisfactory level of productivity. Such merits could contribute a lot to the development of engineering and are useful in pioneering enterprises," said Li Zhenmin, vice-chairperson of Praxair.

"Employment practices that are prejudiced against women or prefer to see them in administration or dealing with trivial affairs, will be terminated" added Li.

Currently, 50 female students from 13 schools of the Nanjing Tech University were selected to enroll into the club for further education and future promotion at their workplaces.

Li stated that the gases company would recruit more female employees from the existing 27 percent of all employees to 30 percent or more.

"Those 50 female talents will be among our top choices once they have finished their lectures in the club," said Li.

"Just as at those state-owned universities in China, we will enroll female students annually. They will take at least 10 courses a year, covering workplace etiquette, training to be scheme planner, and we will be opening law-themed lectures to enhance female awareness against gender discrimination in employment," stated Ge Peng, deputy-secretary of the Party Committee of the Chemical Technology School of Nanjing Tech University, adding that their aim was to explore female students' strong points and assist them to better find a way for promotion.

Female members from a club aimed at presenting female engineers' skills operate their instruments in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province on April 23. The club is considered the first of its kind in Jiangsu for women, and abolishes the old-fashioned prejudices and gender discrimination against females in regards to their employment. [jschina.com.cn]

What made the club special was that each student would be given a lecture card; those who are absent three times will be struck off the club's register.

"Born into a family giving preference to boys over girls, in the western region of China, I am determined to make a gigantic achievement in my future career to prove that girls are by no means inferior to boys. Besides, the club serves as a platform for our women to present their unique character and charm in the field of engineering," said Fang Kun, a member of the club as well as a one of the university's female engineering students. (Source - womenofchina.cn)


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