Women In Technology

Women In Technology is a pilot project sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), through a grant from the dot-GOV Program of Internews Network, providing scholarship awards to women to attend the Cisco Networking Academy Program, training them to DESIGN, BUILD, and MAINTAIN COMPUTER NETWORKS.

In 2004 the Women In Technology pilot project awarded more than 500 scholarships to women in Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia to attend Cisco Networking Academies located in major cities in their home countries.

Women are currently underrepresented in the field of Information Technology (IT), from enrollment in technology courses to participation in the IT workforce. The Women In Technology program provides technical training and professional development support for women pursuing careers in the IT sector.

Women In Technology:

  • Equips Women with Marketable, Cutting-Edge IT Skills
  • Provides Women Access to Industry Standard Certification
  • Prepares Women for IT Careers and Well-Paying Jobs
  • Leads to Greater Economic Security and Independence
  • Allows Women to Contribute to the Development of the IT Sector in their Communities
  • Produces Leaders, Role Models and Mentors for Other Girls and Women


Orientation for the WIT participants at the Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 2004
In 2005 and beyond, this highly effective, low cost training program can be expanded to other countries.

Expansion of the WIT program to your country is low cost and designed to reduce contracting burdens on USAID Missions. WIT can be implemented in your country providing scholarships, professional development activities and career skills training.

For more information about offering the WIT program, please contact Ms. Heather Aiello, Senior Manager, Women in Technology, Institute of International Education, email: wit@iie.org.