The Regional Director for Science and Technology stated today in Ponta Delgada that women "play a key role in the scientific development" of the Azores, adding that "63% of scientific projects funded last year by the Regional Directorate for Science and Technology were led by women."
 
Bruno Pacheco also pointed out that 58% of the advanced training grants in the archipelago "were awarded to women."
 
The Regional Director spoke on the sidelines of "Talks with Women of Science," an event promoted by the Regional Directorate for Science and Technology to mark the International Women's Day among students attending Antero de Quental and Domingos Rebelo Secondary Schools.
 
"It is necessary to encourage as well as to raise the awareness and interest of young people, particularly of girls, in different scientific fields, motivating them to pursue their education in these areas," said Bruno Pacheco.
 
The importance of women in the scientific world, women in science "versus" men in science, women in leadership positions in academic institutions and gender parity in science were some of the topics under discussion in this initiative, which included the participation of about a hundred and fifty students.
 
Bruno Pacheco highlighted that six women "who have followed a professional path in different scientific areas were invited to take part in the event," namely Elisabete Freire, Fátima Viveiros, Manuela Lima, Piedade Lalanda, Susana Cabral and Rute Gregório.
 
"They are women of science working the Azores who, in addition to talking about their professional careers, also addressed the topics under discussion and students were called to participate," added the government official.
 
According to the Regional Director, "we must continue to invest in this type of initiatives to attract young people to the world of science in order to clarify and arouse curiosity about the opportunities that science offers."