MasterCard, NFTE and Be Better to Bring Girls4Tech™ to China

PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

MasterCard today announced an agreement with Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and Shanghai Be Better Education (Be Better) to bring the Girls4Tech™ program to young girls in China this fall. The hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum connects the foundations of the MasterCard core business to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) principles. During the full-day program, students are engaged in experiences that showcase the types of skills required to pursue a career in STEM.

With NFTE and Be Better's partnership, the program is expected to reach an estimated 30,000 young girls in classrooms throughout China. The ten-city tour will kick off in Shanghai on 15 September. "It is important to instill greater confidence in girls at a very young age, especially in STEM subjects. Girls4Tech presents a fun and unique opportunity to make this come alive in the classroom, allowing young girls to envision a future for themselves," said Linda Chiu, director, NFTE Licensed Partners.

"There have been quite a few innovation programs in recent years that are helping Chinese children to become change makers. We're pleased to have the chance to promote STEM and have it as part of the Be Better curriculum," said Alan Wang, CEO & co-founder, Be Better.

"While our inaugural Girls in Tech research indicates some promising trends around girls studying STEM subjects, there are still many concerns about their career decisions after graduation. Hands-on, experiential programs like this can help address low confidence in their competence or a perception of gender imbalance, while inspiring and empowering them to become the problem solvers of tomorrow," said Ling Hai, co-president, MasterCard, Asia/Pacific.

Launched in April 2014, more than 5,000 girls and 1,000+ MasterCard employee mentors have participated in the Girls4Tech program as part of a worldwide rollout in the U.S., Germany, U.A.E., India, England, Italy, Australia, Argentina and Belgium, with more markets to follow this year.

Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a global nonprofit that activates the entrepreneurial mindset in young people and builds their knowledge about business startup. Students acquire the entrepreneurial mindset (e.g., innovation, self-reliance, comfort with smart risk), alongside business, STEM, and presentation skills—equipping them to drive their best futures in the 21st Century. NFTE focuses its work on under-resourced communities, with programs in 23 locations in 10 countries. To learn more, visit www.nfte.com.

Headquartered in Shanghai, Be Better was launched in 2009 to empower future generations through economic citizenship education, giving them the skills they need to pursue a better future. As the first non-governmental organization in China focused on economic citizenship education, Be Better partners with schools and communities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Guiyang and Chengdu. To learn more, visit www.bebetter.org.cn.

About MasterCard

MasterCard MA, www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardAP and @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

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