Véronique Gré Douniama-Lonn is a lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Marien Ngouabi University in the Republic of Congo. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Section (Republic of Congo National Chapiter) of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Bootcamp of Scientific Girls 

Véronique's project empowered 15 young women nearing the end of their university studies to advance their careers in STEM and build a community of Congolese women scientists. Through a four-day bootcamp, participants received training in digital sciences (coding, robotics, solar panel manufacturing), and innovative entrepreneurship, leadership, and fundraising. They gained hands-on experience in powering electric circuits with solar panels, using AI and no-code tools, and digital planning strategies. 

The bootcamp enabled participants to build websites, apply STEM knowledge to community needs, and explore funding opportunities for scientists. A mentoring program was also established to support their future STEM careers. Some participants created impactful projects like healthcare access websites, food health advice blogs, and renewable energy initiatives. Others committed to furthering their education or launching new STEM-based initiatives in their communities. 

The bootcamp had a profound impact, with two participants who had considered abandoning STEM deciding to continue their studies and careers. One, a Master’s student in mathematics, chose to pursue her thesis, while the other, an engineering student in food science, started a blog on local nutrition and led other students in food engineering. 

 

 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Véronique participated in the IVLP Project Empowering Congolese Women in Science Through a U.S. Perspective, organized by the U.S. Department of State, in partnership with Global Ties Akron, Gulf Coast Diplomacy, and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs.

“Two special points of my IVLP experience have inspired my IVLP Impact Award Project. First, I was inspired by a visit to the University of West Florida (UWF) in Pensacola, where we met with Dr. Mohammad Kabou, who spoke to us about the creation of summer camps in STEM for female students, which creates a learning and living community to retain female students educated in STEM. Second, we explored different actions taken by Chris Miller and the Akron Community Foundation to help women lacking access to physical and mental healthcare as well as lacking resources to mitigate societal pressures and sexual assault awareness." - Véronique Gré Douniama-Lonn

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Pensacola, FL; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH

Country: Republic of Congo

 

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