The conference titled "Educators and Professional Choices in STEM Sciences" was held with great success and numerous participation on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Kousioumi Venue in Nicosia.

PHOTOS

The conference was organized by the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) and the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), in collaboration with ten public and private universities in Cyprus and under the Auspices of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. Its aim was to highlight the decisive role of the educational community in shaping the professional choices of young people, and especially girls, in the fields of Information Technology and STEM. The initiative is part of a broader strategic effort to strengthen the participation of women in STEM professions, at a time where European data indicates their continued underrepresentation. 
The event was welcomed by representatives of the involved bodies:
•    Andreas Loutsios, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS)
•    Mary Cleary, Member of the CEPIS Board of Directors with responsibility for IT Professionalism Europe
•    George Koutsidis, Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth
•    George Malekkos, Chairman of the Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association, CITEA
•    Josie Christodoulou, Commissioner for Gender Equality

The event opened with an introductory presentation by Dr. Haritini Tsangari (University of Nicosia), who presented international and European statistics on the skills shortage and under-participation of women in ICT and STEM sectors, analysing the role of teachers and career advisors in shaping perceptions and expectations from a young age. 

PRESENTATION

This was followed by three (3) Interactive Discussions with important content: 
1.    The Gender Reality in STEM Today: Stereotypes, Prejudices, Mentalities
The first interactive discussion focused on the social and cultural stereotypes that continue to influence the educational and professional choices of male and female students. Panel participants: 
•    Dr. Haritini Tsangari, University of Nicosia 
•    Dr. Styliani Kleanthous, Open University of Cyprus 
•    Dr. Panayiota Nikolaou, UCLan Cyprus
•    Dr. Andreas Artemiou, University of Limassol 
•    Dr. Miranta Christou, University of Cyprus 
Coordinator: Ms. Andriani Piki, UCLan Cyprus
The discussion highlighted the way in which unconscious biases, language, norms, social expectations and reproduced stereotypes through Artificial Intelligence shape children’s perceptions of “what suits them” from an early age, as well as the need for systematic training of teachers on gender equality issues.
2.    Good Practices and Actions: Changing the Game in STEM 
The second interactive discussion focused on practical interventions and successful examples from academia and civil society. Panel participants: 
•    Anastasia Fredericou, President of the Board of Directors of Frederic University 
•    Dr. Salomi Evripidou, Neapolis University Pafos 
•    Dr. Rafaela Basiliadou, American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
•    Fotini Tsaliki, Cyprus History Museum of Computers 
•    Toumazis Toumazi, Cyprus Computer Society
Coordinator: Dr. Pericles Cheng, European University of Cyprus 
The interventions highlighted the importance of experiential learning, role models, technology workshops, as well as collaboration between schools, universities and industry stakeholders, as tools for empowering students and cultivating digital and scientific skills.

3.    STEM from school to work: Skills shortage and opportunities for all
The third interactive discussion focused on the transition from education to the labor market, the skills shortages recorded in the ICT and STEM sectors, and the opportunities created in the context of the digital transition. Panel participants: 
•    Dr. Melita Menelaou, Cyprus University of Technology 
•    Dr. Yianna Danidou, European University of Cyprus 
•    Demetris Nissiotis, Chief Executive Officer of NetU Consultants Ltd
•    Dr. Natassa Fotinakopoulou, from CEPIS-PeopleCert
Coordinator: Panis Pieri, Cyprus Computer Society.
The discussion highlighted the importance of developing horizontal digital skills, connecting education with the needs of the labor market, and the need to include women through an appropriate work environment that will attract and retain more women in the ICT and STEM fields.

The conference concluded with open discussion with audience and presentation of main conclusions by Skevi Skordallou (CCS) who underlined the organizers’ commitment in continuing and strengthening the actions, as well as the establishment of a committee for Monitoring and Exploiting the results of a conference, with the aim of supporting teachers in the difficult work they do and creating an appropriate environment for children’s development and progress.  
The large turnout and the substantive dialogue that developed confirmed that enhancing the participation of young people, and especially girls, in the fields of Information Technology and STEM is not only an issue of equality, but a strategic choice for the progress, innovation and sustainable development of Cyprus.

Συνδιοργάνωση: 
•    Κυπριακός Σύνδεσμος Πληροφορικής (CCS) 
•    Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) 
Υπό την Αιγίδα: Υπουργείο Παιδείας Αθλητισμού και Νεολαίας 
Συνεργασία: 
•    American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB), Πάφος 
•    Ανοικτό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου 
•    Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου 
•    Πανεπιστήμιο Frederick
•    Πανεπιστήμιο UCLan Cyprus 
•    Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου 
•    Πανεπιστήμιο Λεμεσού 
•    Πανεπιστήμιο Λευκωσίας 
•    Πανεπιστήμιο Νεάπολις Πάφος 
•    Τεχνολογικό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου  
Υποστήριξη:  
•    CITEA
•    NetU Consultants Ltd 
•    PeopleCert 
•    Μουσείο Υπολογιστών Κύπρου 
Στο πλαίσιο
•    Code Week
•    All Digital Weeks