On March 11, 2026, Dr. Reiko Abe, Executive Officer of OC Global and Chairperson of Oriental Consultants India Private Ltd. (OC India), delivered a special lecture titled “Shining in STEM! Career Design Seminar for Female Junior and Senior High School Students” at Fuji Sacred Heart Junior and Senior High School in Shizuoka Prefecture. During the lecture, she told the participating students about the appeal of working as a development consultant and the joys of working overseas.

Lecture by Dr. Abe

Venue

The Government of Japan’s Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office appoints “STEM Girl Ambassadors” to encourage the career choices of female students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), by showcasing successful women in those fields as role models. Dr. Abe was appointed as an ambassador for this initiative in 2018 and has since been delivering outreach lectures to students and speaking at various events.

Approximately 250 students from the second year of junior high school to the first year of senior high school, along with faculty members, participated in this special lecture. Through her own career and her involvement in railway projects in India, Dr. Abe introduced the appeal of the profession of development consultants and the challenges and rewards of working overseas.

Following the lecture, the students asked many questions, including key points to consider when planning their future careers and what they should focus on during their high school years. This proved to be a highly stimulating experience for Dr. Abe as well. She expressed her sincere hope that this special lecture would help support the career development of the participating junior and senior high school students.

OC Global supports the promotion of STEM fields and diversification of career choices (SDG 4) through the activities of STEM Girl Ambassadors (SDG 5).