Kutaisi International University (KIU) has been implementing women’s empowerment mentorship program since 2021. The goal of the program is to support KIU female students in their professional development and career advancement, as well as to help them realize their potential and overcome the various barriers faced. The mentorship program is implemented with the partnership and support of the UN Women.
KIU students who express their interest in mentorship program are assigned a mentor from KIU female staff. During the first year, up to 10 mentors and 12 students participated in the program. Most of the interviewed students believe that the program has been helpful to them and has helped them develop their skills. For most girls, enrollment in a mentoring program has resulted in increased self-esteem and widening their network and contacts.
Kutaisi International University’s priority is to create an inclusive and equal educational environment, which will be free from any form of direct or indirect discrimination. With the adoption of Policy Document of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, the university took responsibility to promote the principles of gender equality in education, create an equally accessible environment and exclude differential treatment both among students and among university staff based on race, skin color, language, sex, age, nationality, origin, place of residence, place of birth, property or rank, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or social background, occupation, marital status, health status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, political or other views, or any other ground.
Due to the existing social norms and stereotypical approaches in Georgia, the number of female Student in the STEM fields is significantly lower than the number of boys. Although in the first academic year KIU was able to reach 30% of girl admission in the field of mathematics, and in the second year to increase this figure to 45%, the University believes that this number is not enough and should actively take measures to create an equal, affordable and attractive environment for all.
What is the mentorship program?
Kutaisi International University (KIU) has been implementing a mentorship program since 2021. The goal of the program is to support KIU girl students in their professional development and career advancement, as well as to help them realize their potential and overcome the various barriers they can face.
What are the benefits?
The program will support KIU girls to identify their goals and determine ways to achieve them. KIU leadership believes that the program will be fruitful for mentees and will support girl’s skills development and career advancement. Meetings with interesting people and sharing their experiences will help young girls to overcome various barriers they face as well as realize their potential. Enrolment in a mentoring program of KIU has resulted in increased self-esteem, widening the network and contacts and professional development of mentees.
What is duration of program?
The mentorship program will start from March and duration of the program will be from 3 to 6 months.
Who are mentors?
Students are mentored by a team of experienced and professional staff members from the University who are motivated to promote gender equality in the education sector. You can see the profiles of Mentors here.
Who is eligible to apply?
All KIU female students are eligible to apply.
How to apply?
All interested candidates are invited to apply by filling up this form no later than by 5th of March, 2022.
For information contact:
Please refer to Human Capital Development Manager at KIU – Nino Tvaltvadze, e-mail: N.tvaltvadze@kiu.edu.ge
