Princess Sumaya calls on female ICT majors to come up with innovative project ideas

AMMAN — HRH Princess Sumaya, president of the Royal Scientific Society, on Thursday called for unified efforts to create an environment that encourages more girls to join the ICT sector, which contributes about 14 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product.

Addressing scores of female students majoring in a variety of ICT specialties at a ceremony marking Girls in ICT Day 2014, the princess said talented girls in the field have great opportunities for employment, especially since there is ongoing positive growth in the sector.

“There is a need for more efforts by the public and private sectors as well as academia to encourage innovation among students in this regard,” she added.

The ICT sector employs more than 80,000 individuals directly and indirectly, around 26 per cent of whom are women, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.

The princess called on female ICT majors to come up with innovative ideas for projects.

 “The ICT sector needs skills and talents and little investments and resources and this is an opportunity for all in the field.”

In a speech at the event, Mohammad Taani, chief commissioner of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, said women play a key role in the ICT sector, and their role and participation should be increased.

Taani said the government is going ahead with implementing a project to secure employment for ICT graduates in the private sector, calling on female ICT majors to apply for the Graduates Internship Programme.

Since its launch in 2009, about 2,000 graduates have benefited from the scheme.

Under the initiative, fresh graduates in various ICT-related specialties, or those who have not been employed in the sector for up to two years, can compete for private sector jobs by submitting their CVs to the programme’s website (www.gip.gov.jo).

Selected applicants receive 18 months of training and are secured employment at a private sector firm with a JD300 monthly salary as well as social security and health insurance coverage.

The government subsidises 50 per cent of each beneficiary’s salary, while the rest is paid by the companies that train the students.

“This year about 600 students will benefit from the programme,” Taani said.

Around 6,000 Jordanians graduate annually with ICT-related degrees.