ExxonMobil inspires girls to become engineers

The 75 participants and 42 EMPNG Volunteers together with Management at the completion of EMPNG’s 2nd 'Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day' Program. (Supplied)

ExxonMobil PNG recently hosted 75 outstanding ninth-grade girls from five Port Moresby schools for a special event at its LNG Plant at Caution Bay.

The event, "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day," is now in its second year in Papua New Guinea. Its goal is to inspire students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math [STEM]. This year's theme was "Design Your Future."

The girls participated in hands-on science experiments and exciting activities. They were guided by 42 passionate employee volunteers from ExxonMobil’s Women in Energy Network. The students also learned directly from Papua New Guinean engineering professionals.

ExxonMobil PNG's leader, Dinesh Sivasamboo, visited the students and commended their enthusiasm and teamwork.

He told them that Papua New Guinea's energy industry will have many opportunities for future engineers and encouraged them to continue their studies.

“It’s great to see that even though you’ve come from different schools, you have quickly made new friends and learned to work together effectively as a team to solve real world problems. These are important skills and experiences that will help you excel in your lives and your careers,” Mr. Sivasamboo said.

Chairman and Managing Director of EMPNG, Dinesh Sivasamboo observing one of the group activities at the 2^nd 'Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day'. (Image: Supplied)

“Papua New Guinea’s energy future looks quite bright, so there will be opportunities for students like you throughout our industry. I hope you will continue to apply yourselves to your studies so that you might join us as engineers one day,” he concluded.

The students said the day was exciting and opened their eyes to new possibilities.

"I didn’t think much about taking on engineering, but after today, I might have a change of mind," said Zillar Naku Pa’aka from Gordon Secondary School.