Brainport Industries Campus again the setting for Girls' Day
10,000 girls participate in Girls' Day at dozens of locations throughout the country.
Published on April 10, 2025
Dozens of girls today at Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) for the annual Girls' Day.
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Dozens of girls were guests today at Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) for the annual Girls' Day. They immersed themselves in the world of technology, with more than forty companies and educational institutions at BIC providing challenging assignments as they do every year. The main goal: to get girls excited about an education (and hopefully a job later) in technology.
Nationwide, more than 10,000 girls between the ages of 10 and 15 were programming, soldering, working with wood, printing with metal, laser engraving, designing, and building. On Girls' Day, they experience that the world of technology and IT is also their world.
Technology and IT are indispensable for the future of the Netherlands: for our economy, our security, and the energy transition. Yet only 17% of those working in these professions are women. This must and can change, says VHTO, the expertise center Voor Haar Technische Ontwikkeling (For Her Technical Development). “As the Netherlands, we can no longer afford to leave technology and IT to others,” says Sahar Yadegari, director of VHTO. “As a country, we have recently experienced how crucial technology and IT are. We cannot leave that responsibility to a select group. Girls' Day increases the freedom of choice for girls and allows us to utilize more talent. I am very grateful that so many companies and schools are joining forces this year and showing that technology and IT are for everyone.”
State Secretary Mariëlle Paul also supports Girls' Day. “The Netherlands is crying out for top technical talent! That is why it is vital that pupils, both girls and boys, are introduced to technical education at a young age. It is a shame when girls miss out on technical opportunities due to the persistent and unjustified idea that technology is something for boys. In addition to various educational programs, Girls' Day shows girls every year that they too can work with technology. That is very valuable."
Activities throughout the country
Activities were organized throughout the Netherlands. A total of 274 schools and 312 companies participated. Participants discovered the world of robotic 3D metal printing, making music with a programming tool, and robotics, virtual reality, and AI. They also experienced what it is like to steer a ship in a bridge simulator, they were able to work with wood, and they learned how to weld. Special games, experiments, and tours were available everywhere. This was also the case at BIC, where various options were available.