Femmes Digitales’ 11th Regional Mentorship Program
07.11.2025
On 25 October 2025, Femmes Digitales – Public Union for Support to Women in ICT successfully held its 11th regional STARTECH conference at the Shamakhi ASAN Service Center. The event brought together schoolgirls from rural areas who are eager to discover the world of technology and innovation.
The conference was organized with the support of ASAN Service and the Ministry of Science and Education, in partnership with the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM). Financial support was provided by Fominov Consulting, B.EST Solutions, and STEP IT Academy. Trainings on robotics and artificial intelligence were conducted by leading experts in the field. Bloom Group supported the event organizationally, and InfoCity Magazine acted as the information partner. Around 70–80 schoolgirls aged 12–16 from Shamakhi and nearby villages participated in the event.
The STARTECH 2025 program helped strengthen girls’ digital literacy and increased their interest in STEM fields. Combining mentorship, practical sessions, and real role models, the event gave participants the opportunity to envision themselves as future innovators and changemakers in technology.
The event opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Elchin Hajaghaev, Director of the Shamakhi Regional ASAN Service Center. Mentors then shared their personal career journeys in technology, inspiring participants with stories of growth and perseverance.
During the hands-on “Robotics is for Girls” session led by STEP IT Academy, participants learned the basics of robot control and coding. Under the guidance of experienced trainers, they assembled and programmed their own robots.
Another highlight of the day was the seminar “Artificial Intelligence in Real Life.” The girls explored how AI is transforming everyday life and various industries. They learned to distinguish real videos from AI-generated ones, wrote prompts, and even created song lyrics and melodies using platforms such as Suno and other AI tools. Participants also discussed the future of professions — exploring which fields are likely to thrive and which might lose relevance in the digital era.
Jana Krimpe, Founder and Chairwoman of Femmes Digitales, said:
“Every time we bring the STARTECH project to a new region, we see how much excitement it generates. The creativity and curiosity of girls in Shamakhi truly impressed us. When we established Femmes Digitales, our goal was to show that technology is for everyone. Seeing these young girls code, build AI-powered projects, and dream big proves that Azerbaijan’s digital future is in safe hands. What makes the STARTECH program even more special is that now the children of our mentors also take part — they learn, get inspired, and support other girls. This shows that our initiative has become a true family movement that unites generations around technology and shared values.”
Nuray Tamishova, a 14-year-old student from Shamakhi, also shared her thoughts:
“Today was a very meaningful day for me. I really enjoyed learning about robotics and artificial intelligence. This program showed me that technology is not only for others — it’s for girls like me!”
Her teacher, Shahla Eyubova, added:
“STARTECH was an incredibly inspiring experience for our students. The program helped them believe in themselves, think creatively, and understand the opportunities that technology can offer in the future.”
