Stereotypes Should Not Stand in the Way of Dreams

The international Girls in ICT Day, Stelpur, stálp og tækni, was held on May 20 at Reykjavik University with more than 1,150 participants. The event has become one of the university’s largest and most anticipated annual gatherings, held since 2014.

The aim of the event is to introduce girls and non-binary youth to careers and education in technology, fields in which these groups have traditionally been underrepresented. Participation has also been linked to increased applications to technology-related programmes at Reykjavik University.

The event is organised in collaboration with JBT Marel. According to Þórhildur Þorkelsdottir, Innovation Project Manager at Marel, it is important for students to gain insight into future opportunities.

At JBT Marel, we believe it is important for young people to have the opportunity to see what possibilities await them after graduation, so they can discover the spark to continue. It is always exciting to see their eyes light up as they learn how companies operate and how specialists from different fields work together toward inspiring goals.

She said.

Participants attended workshops led by students, faculty members, and alumni from Reykjavik University, where they explored activities such as video game design, robotics, software development, and more. Several of Iceland’s leading technology companies also welcomed groups for visits, including CCP Games, Rarik, Orkuveitan, and Landsvirkjun.

In a workshop organised by the Department of Applied Engineering Technology, the focus was on colours and light. Sigridur Heimisdottir, lecturer at the department, explained that participants learned about different types of light, the importance of proper lighting levels, and how lighting affects people. Each participant then designed and built their own lamp using cardboard lampshades donated by IKEA, experimenting with colours, patterns, and light intensity before taking their finished lamp home.

At lunchtime, participants enjoyed pizza while Olafur Eysteinn Sigurjonsson, Vice President of Research, Innovation and Industry Relations at Reykjavik University, welcomed the group. DJ Dora Julia kept the atmosphere lively throughout the event.

It is always a pleasure to welcome these young people to campus each year. Technology is everywhere in society, and it was clear that the event opened many eyes. We hope events like this encourage girls and non-binary youth not to let stereotypes stand in the way of pursuing their dreams.

Said Rakel Gunnarsdottir, Event Manager at Reykjavik University.

The future is bright

Organisers at Reykjavik University have worked closely with many of Iceland’s largest companies to make the event possible, creating a collaborative and inspiring atmosphere for students, teachers, and industry partners alike.

This is an excellent initiative by RU, and we will definitely participate again. There was incredible energy among the girls who visited our power station in Hveragerdi. The future is bright, and we hope some of them will one day join us as colleagues.

Said Kristin Soffia Jonsdottir, Managing Director of Development and Future at Rarik.

We at Reykjavik University sincerely thank all participants, companies, and partners for their valuable collaboration, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.