MasterCard has actually rolled out Girls4Tech, its signature education program to drive interest and motivate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professions amongst girls, in the UAE for the 2nd year at the Emirates Foundation Think Science Fair 2016. The annual event, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Emirates Foundation, is taking place from 17 to 19 April 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Girls4Tech is a hands-on, inquiry-based program that links the foundations of MasterCard's business to STEM principles and reveals students that it takes all type of interests and skills to pursue a STEM career. The curriculum is based on international science and mathematics standards and was developed in conjunction with MasterCard's leading engineers and technologists. Students were invited to refine their skills at the 3 stations at the MasterCard stand: Smart Cities, Cryptology and Fraud Detection.

MasterCard staff members-- women and males alike-- acted as coaches and role models as they assist individuals through various exercises. In 2014, more than 1,000 students found out more about STEM concepts at the Girls4Tech stand at the Fair.

"MasterCard thinks that workplace diversity is critical in driving our business, and through initiatives like Girls4Tech, we are empowering and cultivating future leaders and technologists," shares Jumanah Anter, Senior Vice President, Global Communications, MEA, MasterCard.

"While girls normally exceed boys in mathematics in primary and secondary school levels, this typically does not translate into professions in STEM, and that is why it is even more essential for us to share our enthusiasm for innovation with girls who may not have actually considered or been exposed to these possibilities. It's our objective to ensure that ladies across the region have an equal and reasonable chance to grow and succeed," she added.

Released in April 2014, more than 3,000 girls have participated in Girls4Tech workshops in 9 countries, with more than 800 employees serving as coaches and role models.