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In Belarus, just 20.3% of students enrolled in engineering, manufacturing, and construction degrees are women, according to the STEM4ALL platform. But as automation transforms industries and physically demanding jobs give way to more intellectually driven roles, opportunities for women in these fields are beginning to grow. It is projected that 90% of jobs worldwide will soon require technical skills.
For Aleksandra Shambalova, a passion for technology runs in the family. A third-generation engineer, she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather and mother. While family tradition and an early fascination with the sciences influenced her career choice, her path was far from set. Up until high school, Aleksandra dreamed of becoming a journalist or translator.
- When choosing my university major, I looked into which professionals were most in demand. And, of course, I also wanted my studies to be interesting, she recalls.
After graduating in electrical engineering, Aleksandra has spent the past decade teaching at Mogilev State Polytechnic College, where she prepares future programmers, welders, and mechanical engineers in various aspects of electronics - from digital technology and microprocessor systems to electrical measurements and the fundamentals of automation.
Engineering Meets Creativity
Though Aleksandra’s profession is firmly rooted in STEM, she views engineering as a rich canvas for creativity. One area that immediately captivated her was preparing students for technical creativity competitions. Under her guidance, they develop innovative projects with the potential to be implemented in real-world manufacturing.
Aleksandra’s students have already showcased their work at high-profile events such as 100 Ideas for Belarus, TechnoIntellect, Talents of the 21st Century, and TIBO.
- Together we brainstorm ideas, develop prototypes, and even secure patents. These technologies have the potential to bring genuine benefits to people, she explains. - For example, my students created ‘anti-sleep’ glasses - a gadget that attaches to any pair of spectacles. A sensor detects when the wearer begins to nod off or closes their eyes for more than two seconds, at which point the glasses emit a loud sound to wake them up. It’s perfect for long-haul drivers and could help prevent road accidents.
Nurturing Talent, Preparinh Champions
Since 2018, Aleksandra has also been training contestants for professional skills competitions. As an expert in electronics, she both mentors students and evaluates competition tasks.
- These competitions help students refine their skills and become highly sought-after in the job market. The preparation is intense, requiring more than a year of regular training. Yet, young people acquire a wealth of hands-on experience that standard curricula even at the university level simply do not currently provide, she explains.
Dedicated to growing her expertise, Aleksandra undergoes continuous professional training and completes all the tasks she expects her students to master. In February, she took part in the first joint training for all electronics experts in the country, conducted with UNDP's support. Nearly half of the participants were women - a sign of changing times.
Women in electronics - a new trend?
Gleb Kozel, a trainer at the recent session for electronics experts, has also noticed a shift in the field's demographics.
"Stereotypes are beginning to dissolve. Today, there’s barely a divide between ‘male’ and ‘female’ professions."
- Our industry has evolved, with automation reshaping the workplace, says Gleb. - Programming microcontrollers, not manual labour, is now a core part of the job. That's why I see more and more women enrolling in programming and engineering courses. They’re genuinely interested.
Alexandra recalls being the only woman among thirty students in her Automated Electric Drives programme. Today, the gender balance at her college is shifting, with more young women entering technical fields.
– It’s vital to create an inclusive learning and working environment that benefits everyone. If this trend continues, more women will pursue science, shares Aleksandra.
Despite her theoretical focus in the classroom, Alexandra isn’t afraid of wielding a soldering iron and can assemble electrical circuits with ease.
- As a VET trainer, it’s essential for me to understand every process I teach. I would go to my colleagues and say: ‘I know what these devices are called, I can explain how they work, but I can’t assemble them myself. Teach me!’ And they did, she recalls. - Funnily enough, it was my own students who taught me to solder. I attended their extra classes, and they showed me everything. It wasn’t always easy, but it was incredibly rewarding!
The world needs science, and science needs women
Looking ahead, Aleksandra is committed to teaching. Helping young people discover their potential is what inspires her the most. In the future, she plans to continue supporting students in developing innovative products and participating in professional skills competitions.
"I want to stay in the tech to prove, both through my own example and those of my students, that female engineers can achieve great things."
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires leveraging the unique knowledge and experiences of both men and women. Only by ensuring equal access to educational and professional opportunities can we fully harness the potential of scientific advancements to tackle global challenges.
In 2024, more than 400 educators, industry representatives, and experts in mechanical engineering, construction, and agriculture, 58% of whom were women, received training within the 'Developing Youth Innovation Potential for Accelerated Sustainable Development' project implemented by UNDP Belarus in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Republican Institute for Vocational Education and funded by the Russian Federation-UNDP Trust Fund for Development.
