How can schools encourage more girls to see themselves as future technology creators, innovators, and professionals? At Računarska gimnazija (Grammar School for Computer Science) in Belgrade, Serbia, one answer is to give them an opportunity to experience technology for themselves — and to meet women who have already built careers in the field.
For the third year, Oracle Academy has been proud to sponsor IT Girls, an annual program organized by Računarska gimnazija to encourage girls in the final years of primary school to explore information technology and consider continuing their education in the field.
The program combines learning, practical experience, creativity, and interaction with professionals working in technology. Earlier this year, 42 girls participated in a free WordPress course at Računarska gimnazija, working in four groups to develop skills they could later put into practice.
Tech professional returns to give back
There is a particularly inspiring connection between different generations of IT Girls. One of the course instructors, Žana Jelovac, is a former Računarska gimnazija student who participated in the IT Girls competition herself when she was in eighth grade. Her achievement in the competition helped her earn a full scholarship to attend the school. This year, she returned as a university student to share her knowledge with a new generation of girls.
Following the course, 22 girls took part in the IT Girls competition at Računarska gimnazija. Their challenge was to use WordPress to create a website for an imagined festival or seminar dedicated to education. Artificial intelligence and its potential to improve education, work, and other areas of life was suggested as one possible topic, while participants were encouraged to develop their own event concepts, titles, logos, illustrations, and content.
The websites were evaluated on criteria including originality, functionality, aesthetics, complexity, treatment of the topic, and overall impression.
Računarska gimnazija has shared more details, including winners and more photos about the IT Girls competition and the WordPress course for participating students.
Oracle professionals share career journeys and more
For the girls, the day offered more than a competition. They also had an opportunity to hear directly from women at Oracle: Ljiljana Krkić, Oracle Academy Program Manager; Vanja Vukajlović, Alliance & Channel Manager; and Milena Vujošević Janičić, Oracle Labs Principal Researcher and associate professor at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Mathematics.
The speakers talked about Oracle, opportunities available through Oracle Academy, and their own journeys from education into the technology industry. They shared experiences from their first career steps to job interviews and their current roles, while the girls had plenty of questions of their own. The resulting discussion gave participants a chance to connect what they were learning with real educational and career pathways in technology.
Programs such as IT Girls demonstrate what can happen when educators create opportunities for students to learn by doing, meet role models, and imagine where technology skills might take them. Oracle Academy is pleased to support Računarska gimnazija in its efforts to encourage more girls to explore IT education and future careers in technology.
We also extend our sincere thanks to Duša Vuković, the Principal of Računarska gimnazija, for her tremendous support of girls in technology and her long-standing collaboration with Oracle and Oracle Academy. For almost two decades, her dedication as an Oracle Academy instructor and educator has helped students build knowledge, confidence, and enthusiasm for technology, and we are deeply grateful for everything she has contributed to our shared mission of expanding opportunities for the next generation.
Oracle Academy works with institutions, educators, and partners around the world to help students become technology innovators and leaders, providing educators with free technology education teaching and learning resources. Learn more about Oracle Academy and join for free.