Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- UNICEF, Tech4Impact NGO and the Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan launched the UniSat international educational program for girls who are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This program, aimed at increasing the interest of girls in space exploration, is supported by UNICEF country offices in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

“In Uzbekistan, as in other countries of the world, for various reasons, there remains a significant gap between boys and girls in the areas of computer literacy, technical education and career. The UniSat education program will help narrow this gap, motivate and educate girls in relevant science and technology skills,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative in Uzbekistan. “UniSat will help to draw the attention of general public to gender issue in technological spheres among the youth of Uzbekistan,” he pointed out.

During the program, 15-24 age girls from all regions of Uzbekistan who have passed selection will be able to improve their knowledge of programming and engineering, as well as improve their skills teamwork and project management. The participants will design, assemble and launch a nanosatellite into the stratosphere.  A team of professional engineers and programmers will support the girls.

“The Ministry of Innovative Development is pleased to support the UniSat program. The girls of Uzbekistan have great capacity for development in the field of science, engineering and advanced technologies, and we invite the girls to try their hand at launching a nanosatellite,” siad Shahlo Turdikulova, Deputy Minister of Innovative Development. “We have a laboratory in the ministry with all conditions for designing and assembling nanosatellites, and the doors of the ministry are always open to young people. Perhaps STEM spheres will become your future profession”!

At the final stage of the training program, girls from three republics will gather at the Al-Farabi Institute in Almaty to assemble the nanosatellite. The launch of the nanosatellite in Uzbekistan is scheduled for April 12, 2022. The girls themselves will develop a flight plan and launch the nanosatellite from an existing site in Uzbekistan under the supervision of specialists from the air navigation services.

The nanosatellite developed and launched into the stratosphere will allow girls to take high-resolution images of the Earth and stars. Built-in sensors will collect data that can be useful in the future for scientific research.

“We are pleased, together with our partners, to launch such a unique program for girls in Uzbekistan,” said Saida Yusupova, Head of the Tech4Impact NGO. “Participation in the UniSat program is an excellent chance for girls to gain new knowledge in the field of STEM, learn how to work in a team, learn more about space and satellites, gain experience in extracurricular activities for admission to the best universities in Uzbekistan and the world, meet famous women from space and engineering. Registration for the UniSat program is open until November 10, and we invite all girls interested in STEM disciplines to register!"