As the world celebrates International Girls in ICT Day 2025 under the theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation“, we highlight the journey of Shamila Bule, a trailblazing ICT professional from Vanuatu. Shamila, an Australia Awards Vanuatu alumna, graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science from the University of the South Pacific – Laucala and is currently making a significant impact as a System Support Officer at the Department of Communications and Digital Transformation (DCDT).
Shamila’s passion for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was deeply inspired by her late mother, who encouraged her to enter the field, foreseeing the growing demand for ICT professionals in Vanuatu. Despite knowing that ICT was a male-dominated industry, Shamila was determined to succeed and pursued an Australia Awards Scholarship, seeing it as a valuable opportunity to further her education in her area of interest. Her mother’s words, “Vanuatu will need a lot of IT experts in the future,” fuelled her ambition, and today, she is a role model for young women aspiring to join the ICT sector.
In her role as a System Support Officer at DCDT, Shamila plays a crucial part in ensuring the smooth operation of Vanuatu’s government digital infrastructure. She is responsible for server infrastructure management and administration, while also providing technical support to government departments and users. Her work is essential in maintaining a secure and efficient digital environment for public services, reinforcing the importance of ICT in national development.
Reflecting on gender representation in ICT, Shamila acknowledges that progress has been slow. While there has been some improvement, the number of women in ICT in Vanuatu remains very low. The gender digital divide continues to pose challenges, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives that encourage more girls and women to enter STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Shamila is passionate about inspiring young women to pursue careers in ICT and STEM. Her message to aspiring female ICT professionals is clear:
‘Follow your passion and believe you can make a positive difference. Build a solid educational foundation in subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Studies, and then advance to your specific field of interest. Vanuatu needs more girls and women in the ICT sector – girls, you can do this!‘
As we celebrate International Girls in ICT Day, Shamila’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that women have a vital role to play in shaping the future of technology. Through education, determination, and support, more young women in Vanuatu can break barriers and contribute to a digitally inclusive world.