Education and Path to Success
Aziza shares her journey, which started when she graduated from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Shymkent. She recalls: "I studied in Shymkent, where there were a lot of chemical industries. There was a tire factory and an oil refinery, but there was a crisis in the late '90s. Almost all enterprises stopped. It was very scary when you got your diploma and there was no employment." Instead of getting discouraged, Aziza found herself in IT project work, particularly in the field of digitalization of tax systems. Aziza got involved in e-government projects, helping to build infrastructure.
"I was working in the tax service and got into the group that was working on electronic monitoring, and the digitalization of tax systems started. Then I worked on the e-government project. I launched Kazakhstan's first e-government portal in 2007. I worked in the GovTech sphere for more than 10 years, and now I am working on the Technowomen project. I am very proud to have been at the origin of digitalization in Kazakhstan," she said.
Technowomen Chapter
Founded in 2022, Technowomen has become a place where Aziza and her team focus on the important aspect of supporting and engaging women in ICT. "We have set a goal for ourselves to increase the number of women in the ICT sector. The ICT sector is a Blue Ocean, with very high demand for professionals, better salaries, and working conditions," says Aziza.
Through Technowomen's programs, Aziza and her team support women and girls at different stages. "Last year showed how important our work is. We helped 2,500 women learn the basics of programming and improve their digital skills," she emphasizes. The example of Aliya Orazymbetova, who after 7 years of maternity studied and successfully found herself in the ICT field, is just one of the many successes that women achieve thanks to Technowomen's programs.
Striving for Equal Opportunities
One of Technowomen's goals is to increase women's participation in STEM disciplines. Aziza Shuzheyevaemphasizes the importance of developing girls' and women's interest in technology. The TechnoGirls program aims to increase girls' digital competencies and their participation in technology industries. "I would like to increase exactly the interest of girls and women in STEM disciplines. I would especially like to increase this interest in the regions, because in the cities of Almaty, Astana, and Karaganda, the dynamics of development are very positive. However, there are other regions where girls do not see themselves yet and are still afraid to go in this direction," Aziza said.
Advice for Girls
Aziza has some advice for girls planning a career in ICT: "Don't be afraid of learning anything; you have to go out and try." She emphasizes that the technology industry is a place where mistakes are inevitable and this is natural. "You don't have to listen to any criticism, you don't have to listen to any negativity, you don't have to listen to any stereotypes that are forced on you. You have to go and just do," she adds.
Aziza Shuzheyeva's example emphasizes not only the importance of women's presence in the ICT sector but also the determination to create a technologically advanced and equitable society. Through initiatives like Technowomen, women are not only educated and supported but also empowered to inspire others and create the change needed to thrive in the digital world.
