A high-level conference entitled “Teachers and Career Choices in ICT and STEM” will take place on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, from 08:00 to 14:00, in Nicosia, Cyprus, bringing together educators, academics, career counselors and parents to address one of the most pressing challenges facing Cyprus and Europe: the low participation of girls in Information Technology and STEM professions.
The conference is organized by the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) and the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), in cooperation with ten public and private universities in Cyprus, and under the auspices of the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
Addressing a Critical Skills and Equality Gap
The initiative stems from concerning European statistics, which place Cyprus among the lowest-ranking countries in terms of women’s participation in STEM professions. At the same time, ICT and STEM sectors are key drivers of digital transformation, innovation and new forms of employment, while offering solutions to modern social and technological challenges.
Enhancing girls’ participation in STEM is not only a matter of equality, but a strategic priority for Cyprus’ economic and social development. Research consistently shows that diverse teams, including women, deliver more comprehensive and effective solutions to complex problems.
The Central Role of Teachers
A core focus of the conference is the decisive role teachers play in shaping students’ attitudes, perceptions and career aspirations. Through good practices, informed career guidance and stronger collaboration between schools and higher education institutions, teachers can significantly influence both girls and boys to consider ICT and STEM pathways.
The event is addressed to teachers of all levels, including primary and secondary education teachers, ICT and STEM educators, trainers, school career counselors, as well as parents. The working language of the conference will be Greek.
Broad Academic and Institutional Collaboration
The conference is organized with the participation of leading academic institutions, including:
- American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
- Open University of Cyprus
- European University of Cyprus
- Frederick University
- UCLan Cyprus
- University of Cyprus
- University of Limassol
- University of Nicosia
- Neapolis University Paphos
- Cyprus University of Technology
The conference is further supported by NetU Consultants Ltd, PeopleCert, and the Cyprus Computer History Museum.
More information about the conference agenda and participation details is available here on the CCS website.
