Encouraging more women into computer science: Initiating a single-sex intervention program in Sweden

Abstract

The process of starting a new program in computer science and engineering, heavily based on applied mathematics and only open to women, is described in this paper.The program was introduced into an educational system without any tradition in single-sex education. Important observations made during the process included the considerable interest in mathematics and curiosity about computer science found among female students at the secondary school level, and the acceptance of the single-sex program by the staff, administration, and management of the university as well as among male and female students. The process described highlights the importance of preparing the environment for a totally new type of educational program.

Women in computing A case study about Kuwait

“…Similarly, some experiments have proven that introducing female-only computing classes within a co-ed environment could be a good strategy for increasing male and female interest in computing studies [20]. Implemented in Sweden, this idea proved to be successful in attracting and recruiting more women in the field of computing [21]. In Malaysia, studies show that females outnumber males in the field of Computer Science [22].…”