Meet Ms.STEM Anu-Ujin and her friends, aspiring girls in STEM

On the occasion of the UN International Day of Girls in Science, we are spotlighting a pioneering girl in science from the city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Ms. A. Anu-Ujin, 18, is a beacon of aspiration for her peers to excel in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

A. Anu-Ujin approached the UN Resident Coordinator with her ambitious “Ms. STEM” project proposal, aimed at promoting girls' education in STEM—an uncommon initiative for someone her age. Her proposal was welcomed by the Resident Coordinator, Mr. Tapan Mishra, who supported her in realizing her dream by garnering generous support from the NewCom group—a national player in renewable energy.

Over 40 aspiring students from various high schools in Ulaanbaatar, including some girls in their gap year, joined the initiative to harness their creativity to design innovative solutions for some of the pressing climate-related challenges.

The project invited leading young female experts in the STEM field to deliver 4-week-long specialized training. These brilliant young women learned various subjects, from mechanical engineering and nano-science to gender equality and female leadership, and engaged in creativity-building activities such as field visits to recycling facilities by a national company and climate activism initiatives to broaden their horizons.

The UNYAP (UN Youth Advisory Panel) team, a dedicated group of young champions who serve as a voice and a bridge for the UN in Mongolia on youth development and well-being, provided mentorship to the girls to realize their ideas.

The highlight of the project was the Ms. STEM Science Fair, hosted on November 4, 2023, at the UN House Mongolia, showcasing innovative projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizing the program's dedication to real-world impact.

Girls demonstrated innovative and efficient ways to save energy, purify water utilizing potatoes and activated carbon or solar and wind energy, create compost from food waste, develop a wind-powered power bank for electric cars, and construct eco-friendly homes.

Through this bold initiative, A. Anu-Ujin has become a role model for young women everywhere, proving that age is no barrier to making a difference. Her dedication to environmental stewardship underscores her belief in the power of STEM to create positive change in the world, paving the way for a future where all young women can thrive and succeed in STEM.