179-194

• Tsagala, Evrikleia
• Kordaki, Maria

This study focuses on how Computer Science and Engineering Students (CSESs) of both genders address certain critical issues for gender differences in the field of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). This case study is based on research conducted on a sample of 99 Greek CSESs, 43 of which were women. More specifically, these students were asked to respond to a specially designed questionnaire addressing the following issues: a) essential motives in selecting CSE as a subject of study, their primary experience with computers and their family’s views regarding CSE as a career prospect, b) the relationship between gender, strengths and weaknesses in CSE and cooperation with fellow students of the opposite gender, c) the desirability of having both male and female University Professors in CSE, d) CSE courses and CSESs choice, and e) career issues. The analysis of the data shows that: a) gender inequality in CSE still exists at tertiary level, b) there is a number of students of both genders who feel interest and self confident in CSE, they believe in equality in competence of both genders in CSE and have dreams of a job with prospects as computer professionals, c) interest, self confidence in CSE are closely related to previous experience with computers and to the encouragement by family and school to learn about computers, and d) the general atmosphere and policy in CSE Departments play an essential role for women-students to feel as equals to their male counterparts.

• Educational sciences

• Εκπαίδευση

Many thanks to Dr Basilis Gialamas for his help in the statistical analysis and to both Eleni Thermogianni and Petros Mikos for helping in the collection of the data used in this study.