1. Local initiatives for women at the University of Bologna (Italy) Carla Raffaelli

2. 2 The Witec association European association for women in science, engineering and technology Web site –http://www.witec-eu.net/http://www.witec-eu.net/ Reference for Unibo: Prof. Miretta Giacometti WiTEC was formed as a network in 1988 and after more than ten years of networking and project activities related to women and SET, established itself as a non-profit European association in May 2001. Currently there are 10 WiTEC national network co- ordinators based in Austria, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

3. 3 Aims of Witec To increase the number of girls and women studying SET subjects and to help them progress to related careers To develop women's technical and entrepreneurial skills through training initiatives and projects To create information exchanges and networking opportunities for women in SET To promote and support research into areas relating to women in SET To support initiatives to promote the Gender Mainstreaming Policy To promote regional, national and international awareness and interest in this field

4. 4 Projects The WiTEC Network has developed and managed a wide variety of projects relating to women and SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) WiTEC National Co-ordinators have successfully received funding for projects from European Commission departments in Education and Culture, Research, Equal Opportunities between men and women and several national funding agencies. Information on current projects on the web site –http://www.witec-eu.net/http://www.witec-eu.net/

5. 5 Sample projects LOUPE Preface - Integrating Entrepreneurship within the University CurriculumPreface - Integrating Entrepreneurship within the University Curriculum Conference on Senior Women's Visibility in SET across EuropeConference on Senior Women's Visibility in SET across Europe European Database of Women Experts in SET Improve - Best Practice in Work Placements for Women JASS - Researching Barriers to Women Setting up a SET BusinessJASS - Researching Barriers to Women Setting up a SET Business Mellow - A Mentoring Programme GROW - Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Short Course Programme for Women Student Placement Programmes for Women Tackling Stereotypes

6. 6 UNIBO for women The best graduate girl award –'Numbers One‘ of the Faculties of Engineering and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Bologna in 2007 –New award is foreseen for 2008 The event was sponsored by some companies in the Bologna area More information –http://ilo.unibo.it/home/About-it.html Torino

7. 7 Motivations The availability of Human Resources with a scientific background is essential to support the innovation process in both companies and society. In Italy out of any Engineering faculty, only 20% are females qualifying with an Engineering degree. Increasing the visibility of girls graduating in Engineering and Industrial Chemistry and showing them as a role model is one way to encourage girls to decide to enrol in University training courses that nowadays are still considered not 'suitable' for them. For this reason the Deans of Faculties of Engineering and Industrial Chemistry have organized the first official acknowledgement of the ‘Best Female New Graduates’

8. 8 What’s more in e-photon/One+/BONE e-photon/One+ is a network of researchers on related topics Women in e-photon/One+ have the opportunity to share their gender experience within the same job/research context We have the opportunity to promote effective initiatives possibly funded by our research network –Support for women mobility –Organize Summer school for young women researchers To discuss their research project To contact senior researchers for mobility –Create a network of women to propose European actions for women –Sponsor local initiatives for women –……

9. Thank you!