• WOMEN IN TECH

     

  • About the Program

    Women in Tech (WiT) is a unique program that aims to provide women with the opportunity to learn such skills as analytics, programming, and coding. Through a series of online courses and resources, our goal is to empower women affected by

    conflict to pursue careers in the tech industry. By providing access to tech education and training, we hope to give women the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market. By participating in this program, you can take control of your future and build the careers you deserve. We are proud to offer this program to women across the globe and look forward to supporting you as you learn and grow in the tech industry

  • How It Works

    1

    Apply

    We share the student and volunteer application forms for the spring, summer, and fall semesters on social media and on our website two or three times a year. Women in areas affected by conflict can apply to become students, and all those with technical skills related to any of our courses can apply to become volunteers.

    2

    Select

    We select women who are at least 18 years old, are at the intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in English, and show an interest in developing technical skills. The selection process consists of an application, an interview, and WiT training. Only students who successfully complete all the steps before the deadline will be accepted into the program.

    3

    Create

    During each 10–14 week course, students are trained in technical and problem-solving skills and learn to develop solutions to various challenges. At the end of each course, students are prepared to apply their skills and knowledge to create a final project.

    4

    Expand

    We strive to give our students opportunities to enhance their professional skills by offering workshops to further their growth. We also connect them with more advanced training programs and professional development programs.

  • Courses We Offer

    • Python 1
    • Python 2
    • Business Analytics
    • SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
    • Digital Marketing
    • Web Development for Beginners

  • For Women Who (Want to) Code

    The Women in Tech program is designed to provide women, especially those who are marginalized or living in areas affected by conflict, with the opportunity to learn how to code and learn modern technical skills, such as coding. In today's global economy, computer skills are essential, and over 50% of jobs require some level of computer training. With the move towards digitalization, it is crucial to empower women by providing them with access to job opportunities in the tech industry.

     

    Refugee women face unique challenges in accessing employment and skills training, with nearly one in four being heads of households. Providing and caring for their families can be a challenge, and skills training programs can be expensive or difficult to find. Moreover, more than 80% of Syrian refugees live outside of camps, making it even harder to reach women in need of training and resources.

    The Women in Tech program offers a solution to these challenges. Students can learn from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need to travel or find childcare. They can learn essential computer languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and R; or technical skills such as digital marketing and data analysis. These skills are in high demand in the tech industry. By mastering them, women increase their employability and can work remotely, giving them the flexibility to balance work and family responsibilities.

  •  

    Who are the Women in Tech community?

    Students

    • 18 years of age or over
    • Intermediate to advanced level of English
    • Passion for learning programming and other technical skills.
    • Ability to dedicate three-four hours a week to class, homework, and a final project

     

    Interested in joining our community as a student?

    fill in the form of interest: Here is the link

    Volunteers

    • Intermediate to advanced technical knowledge of the course they are applying for.
    • Interest in working with an international team and diverse set of students.
    • Ability to dedicate between three-six hours a week.
    • Passionate about supporting women in tech.

     

    Interested in joining our community as a mentor?

    fill in the form of interest: Here is the link

  • Women in Tech Curriculum

    All of our courses, with the exception of Python 2, are designed for beginners to learn fundamental concepts and techniques. They all include step-by-step instructions and examples, as well as real-world projects for students to practice their skills.

  • Women in Tech, final Projects

    At the end of each course, students are expected to complete a final project that combines all the skills they learned throughout the semester. They research and develop their project and then present it in front of Paper Airplanes staff and partners. Check out some of the projects that our students have completed below.

     

    Paper Airplanes provided technical support to students, but each project was student-driven.

  • Web Development Projects

    This project is an online library that makes it easy to find books according to their categories and get a summary of each one.

    1. Register page (Ola)
    2. Homepage (Enas Mostafa Srhan)
    3. Category page (Ashgan)

    Business Analytics Projects

    Python Projects

    This project is an email automation tool to help match students and tutors faster. The student wrote a code to import the information from the spreadsheet into Google Collab, then wrote a function that filled the data for students and tutors into the form. Then, the student wrote another function to send the forms as emails to all the tutors with the required information already filled in.

    Hackathon with Expedia!

    At the end of each course, students are expected to complete a final project that combines all of their learning from the semester. They research, program, and develop a presentation that they then present in front of Paper Airplanes staff and partners. Check out some of the recent projects that our students have completed below

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    What Our Students Are Saying:

    “I learned that everything out of the box does not have to be hard as we think, but we should try new things without being afraid. In Addition, I now strongly believe that one opportunity might be a door to new opportunities. From a technical side, I learned HTML and CSS in a proper way and a little JavaScript, so I was able to create a simple website- of course, also with great personal effort.”

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    What Our Students Are Saying:

    "I enjoyed the subjects of the course that were offered by the program where they are very important in the technology world and helpful. I enjoyed to know and communicate with new people with different cultures and benefit from their experiences. In addition, Paper Airplane course provides a comfortable teaching style that does not make student suffer from pressure that lead to be conflict with other courses."

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    What Our Students Are Saying:

    "The future is for those who know how to code. It should become mandatory to learn how to code in schools. I highly recommend this field of learning and this course particularly, because you'll never feel alone or bored or ever forget the information."

     

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    What Our Students Are Saying:

    "I learned about web development basics in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. This course will help me a lot in my university courses, so I will know the basics of web development. In addition, this the course will open opportunities for jobs in the future. My instructors in the course helped me a lot to get information I needed, and helped me in the web development field, so I benefited a lot from their experiences."

     

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    What Our Students Are Saying:

    "I enjoyed the subjects of the course that were offered by the program where they are very important in the technology world and helpful. I enjoyed getting to know and communicating with new people from different cultures and benefiting from their experiences. In addition, Paper Airplanes’ course provides a comfortable teaching style that does not make students suffer from pressure that leads to conflict in other courses."

     

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    What Our Students Are Saying:

     

    "Now I can apply to a PhD program that incorporates human languages plus coding with confidence. I mean, once you make the first step into a field of knowledge the mist somehow lifts and you can choose a path. "

  • WiT volunteers

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    Jana Deppe

    Web Development instructor

    My name is Jana Deppe. I have been working as a web developer for about eight years, and I am currently studying for a degree in Computer Science. I have been a Paper Airplanes instructor for the Web Development classes for more than two years. I live in Berlin, Germany.

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    Katrina Harper

    Business Analytics instructor

    Volunteer work: Instructor for Business Analytics, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, & Spring 2023

    Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA

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    Kameel Khabaz

    Python 1 instructor

    Kameel Khabaz is an undergraduate studying quantitative biology and computer science at the University of Chicago. He is deeply passionate about volunteering with WiT and providing individuals with practical skills in computer programming, problem-solving, and critical thinking that will flourish into opportunities for economic empowerment.

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    Rama Nahawandi

    Python 2 instructor

    My name is Rama Nahawandi, currently based in The Netherlands. I am a mentor in the advanced python program where I am supporting and empowering women to advance their careers through education. I strongly believe in the importance of bridging the gender gap in the tech industry and I have been committed through PA and Women in Tech to being a part of this change and making the tech industry more inclusive for all.

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    Sana Nazeer

    Instructor for (SPSS)

    I learned a lot about career and professionalism while teaching students. The highly skilled staff and the students' passion for seeking new knowledge are commendable. The Women in Tech programs of Paper Airplanes help to empower students to advance their professional development and careers. The positive environment of students and staff provides enough motivation to go beyond borders when teaching students.

    Location: Pakistan

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    Rana Rabbad

    Business Analytics mentor

    My name is Rana Rabbad. I'm from Yemen. I believe everyone in this life has a special duty to society, even by being a good person, and because I am part of this world, I realize the importance of cooperation to build up society. One of my goals in life is to help people and encourage them to learn, especially women whose country is suffering from war, like me. Because I know exactly how they try to get any opportunity to learn what enhances the quality of their lives. This opportunity, being a volunteer in the WiT program and transferring my humble experience to the world, I trust it will help them and me to achieve both of our goals, transfer it to others, and spread it to be our legacy, will make women effective positively to change our world to be a better place.

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    Ghaleb ballan

    Digital Marketing mentor

    It has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. I have seen the power of education to empower and uplift individuals and communities. I have seen the joy and hope that comes with the knowledge that these women are now able to provide for their families and contribute to the betterment of their community.

    My experience with Paper Airplanes Organization has been a life-changing one. It has inspired me to continue to volunteer and to make a positive difference in the world. I am proud to be part of this organization and to be part of something that is making a real difference in the lives of so many.

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    Mohsen Soliman

    Python 1 mentor

    I'm Mohsen, 27 years old from Syria.

    A graduate in electrical engineering.

    I have a passion for technology and computers.

    Besides my role in the WiT program, I work in tutoring Python and SQL.

    I love spending my free time learning, watching science videos, and learning languages.

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    Maya Lopez

    Business Analytics mentor

    Since 2020, I am volunteering as a mentor for the Business Analytics program. I provide weekly office hours and personalized assignment support for statistics and programming.

    Location: UK

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    Alida Mushiranzigo

    Digital Marketing mentor

    Volunteer in Women-In-Tech Program @ PaperAirplanes NGO.

    Teacher at ROSMEAD CENTRAL SCHOOL in SOUTH-AFRICA,Where she lives with her family in Cape-Town city.

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    Feras Jobeir

    Web Development mentor

    He is a Full stack web developer with PHP and JavaScript since 2010.

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    Tong Liu

    Program mentor

    Meet Tong, a data-driven professional with abackground in statisticsand finance. With work experience in the videosurveillance and nutritional supplements industries, Tong has developed her business acumen and technical expertise in various types of software. As a cross-functional team player, Tong specializes in communicating projects and insights in a visualized way to members with non-technical roles.Outside of work, Tong is enthusiastic about giving back bymentoring students, who are valuable to her. Their spiritinspires and empowers her to continue learning and investing her time, knowledge, and experience in supporting others.

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    MHDRafat Haroub

    Program mentor

    Meet MHD Rafat Haroub, a talented seniordeveloper with a passion for using his skills to make a positive impact. With over 12 years of experience in web development, Rafat brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. His commitment to excellence and desire to make a difference make him an invaluable asset to any team. Whether he isbuilding user-friendly websites or creating innovative solutions, Rafat has the skills and dedication to help nonprofit organizations achieve their goals and make a meaningful impact in the world.

  • FAQs

    Students

    Is there a set curriculum?

    Yes. the curricula for all of our courses are created by volunteers who have experience in the topic. The WiT curriculum is re-evaluated after each semester and new technology and concepts are integrated to improve the curriculum every year.

    How often do peer mentors and students meet?

    It is up to the student how many times they would like to meet with their assigned volunteer tutors or mentors. While the class times will be flexible, students are required to attend at least 70% of instructional classes. Extra support from mentors is available should they need it.

    How are students assessed on competency?

    Students will participate in classwork and be assigned homework after each lesson. While we do not grade students’ work with a letter grade, we encourage students to work hard and we assess their skill level through the completion of each assignmen. Their competency overall is assessed on Demo Day, when they complete a final project and present it to our partners and staff.

    What is the time commitment?

    Students are expected to dedicate two to three hours a week to the course. Students spend one hour in class, one hour on homework, and one additional hour getting help from a mentor during office hours should the student need it.

    Are there opportunities for students to grow their skills outside of the classroom?

    Yes! In addition to the courses, WiT hosts several professional development workshops and competitions throughout the year. Our most recent hackathon was conducted in partnership with Expedia. Check out our social media pages and websites for more details!

  • FAQs

    Volunteers

    What is the time commitment?

    The time commitment is four to six hours a week for tutors and two to four hours a week for mentors. Tutors will be provided with the curriculum, and it is their responsibility to prepare for lessons, present the class content, and keep up with student attendance and progress. The mentors assist and collaborate with the tutors to ensure that students have all the resources they need to be successful.

    Do tutors have to create the homeworks and classwork?

    No. The curriculum, along with classwork and homework, will be provided to tutors. Although tutors are free to develop additional resources, they are only required to use the material given for each course.

    What are the requirements for me to volunteer?

    Tutors and mentors are required to have working knowledge of the skill(s) taught in their chosen course. However, they do not have to be experts, as many of these classes are for beginners. Tutors and mentors must also be willing to collaborate with an international team and dedicate enough time to the program.

    Do volunteers have to live in a specific time zone?

    No. The strength of our program lies in the fact that it is conducted virtually. It is flexible, so tutors can reach out to the students and set a time that works best for both of them each week.

    How do volunteers interact with the students?

    We use a combination of communication tools to interact with students between classes, including WhatsApp, Slack, and email. After onboarding tutors and mentors through our training program, we provide them with all the information needed to communicate with students.

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