Mentorship Sessions Ep. 3: Exploring the World of STEM Beyond the Classroom with Nimatu Asilgya

The third episode of the Mentorship Session held at West Africa Senior High School featured Nimatu Asilgya, a professional nurse and a final-year BSc Nursing student at Wisconsin International University. She is also the Founder of SHE4G Foundation, an organization that has made a substantial impact on over 13,000 girls, women and youth across Ghana. Her discussion offered valuable insights on professional growth, technology, and personal development under the theme; “Exploring the world of STEM outside the classroom.”

Ms. Asilgya shared the compelling inspiration behind establishing the SHE4G Foundation. Her motivation was rooted in an encounter with a young girl who was suffering from extreme neglect such that she struggled to secure her basic needs. This experience, coupled with the significant personal challenges Mrs. Asilgya had overcome in her own youth, fueled her decision to dedicate her life to supporting young girls globally.

During her submission, Ms Asilgya highlighted the vast and transformative changes technology has brought to the healthcare system. She explained that technology has made life considerably easier in this modern age, and has also been instrumental in helping her reach significant professional milestones as a healthcare practitioner. She emphasised her belief that technology must be adopted widely, to streamline processes and reduce challenges within the sector.

“When you go to hospitals now, some of the things that happen in the OPD and the way vitals are checked have all changed. I am grateful for the advancement of my course. I realised that life is not just in the ward but extends beyond the hospital, so it has truly benefited me and I appreciate it.” She stated.

Ms Asilgya encouraged the mentees to remain open to continuous learning and to embrace new challenges. To further motivate the students, she urged them to be goal-getters, reminding them of the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity presented and turning it into a notable achievement.

“Be ready to learn, unlearn and relearn. Be willing to flip every stone into an opportunity.” She quoted.

While courses of study provide essential specialisation, they should not be the sole source of intellectual growth. Mrs Asilgya advised students to maximise the use of the internet to gain more knowledge, particularly on science and emerging trends, and to avoid limiting themselves to their courses of study alone. She emphasised that the greatest solutions often emerge at the intersection of different fields.

“Use the internet to gain more knowledge on science and technology. Spend time online and learn about the importance of STEM.”

She further highlighted the value of seeking knowledge beyond the classroom, noting that there are many opportunities and insights to be gained outside the traditional learning environment.

Finally, Ms Asilgya concluded her address by urging students to be brave, to step forward, and to take up more opportunities, reaffirming that the future belongs to those who are ready and willing to engage.

The 2025 edition of the STEM Festival is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by Trustur AI, Jupay, YFM and GTP