Thammasat University students interested in engineering, science, education, gender studies, sociology, and related subjects may find it useful to participate in a free 22 June Zoom webinar on Enabled by Engineering – Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day.

The event, on Saturday, 22 June 2024 at 11am Bangkok time, is presented by the University of Wollongong, Australia.

The TU Library collection includes several books about different aspects of gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

According to the event webpage, the speakers will include:

• Dr. Emily Yap, Research Fellow, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong.
• Professor Madeleine Du Toit, Associate Dean Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong
• Casey Flemming, Current Student, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), University of Wollongong

The webinar will be moderated by Associate Professor Montse Ros, Associate Dean Education, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong.

Students are welcome to register for the free event at this link:

https://events.uow.edu.au/IWED-2024

According to its website,

International Women in Engineering Day, brought to you by Women’s Engineering Society (WES) will celebrate its 11th year in 2024 and we’ll once again be promoting the amazing work that women engineers across the globe are doing. This year’s theme is #Enhancedbyengineering. INWED gives women engineers around the world a profile when they are still hugely under-represented, with 2021 figures indicating that in the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women. As the only platform of its kind, it plays a vital role in encouraging more young women and girls to take up engineering careers.

Women are often under-represented in the academic and professional fields of engineering. However, many women have contributed to the diverse fields of engineering historically and currently.

Among these was Ada Lovelace, who was privately schooled in mathematics in the 1800s before beginning her collaboration with Charles Babbage on his analytical engine that would earn her the designation of the first computer programmer.

The TU Library collection includes a biographical study of Ada Lovelace. 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Women in Engineering (WIE) is a global network of IEEE members and volunteers dedicated to promoting women engineers and scientists and inspiring girls around the world to follow their academic interests in a career in engineering and science:

About IEEE

IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

The WIE Mission

To connect, support, and inspire women and girls worldwide, and facilitate their recruitment and retention in STEM fields, fostering technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.

The WIE Vision

To be globally recognized for its contributions to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields.

Our goal is to facilitate the recruitment and retention of women in technical disciplines globally. We envision a vibrant community of IEEE women and men collectively using their diverse talents to innovate for the benefit of humanity.

IEEE WIE Strives To

Provide assistance with the formation of new IEEE WIE Affinity Groups and support ongoing activities.

Recognize the outstanding achievements of women in electrical and electronics engineering through IEEE Awards nominations.

Organize workshops at major technical conferences to enhance networking and to promote membership in IEEE WIE.

Advocate women in leadership roles in IEEE governance and career advancement for women in the profession.

Promote member grade advancement for women to the IEEE membership grades of Senior Member and Fellow.

Facilitate the development of programs and activities that promote the entry into, and retention of, women in engineering programs.

Administer the IEEE Student-Teacher and Research Engineer/Scientist (STAR) Program to mentor young women in junior high and high schools.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is a not-for-profit educational and service organization that empowers women to succeed and advance in engineering and be recognized for their life-changing contributions as engineers and leaders.

SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career for women through an exciting array of training and development programs, networking opportunities, scholarships alongside outreach and advocacy activities.

Its website explains that

For more than seven decades, SWE has given women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering industry. Our organization is centered around a passion for our members’ success and continues to evolve with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today’s exciting engineering and technology specialties. […]

SWE Mission

Empower women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders; expand the image of the engineering and technology professions as a positive force in improving the quality of life, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion.

SWE Vision

A world with gender parity and equality in engineering and technology.

SWE Core Values

Integrity
We aspire to the highest level of ethical behavior as evidenced by honesty and dignity within our personal and professional relationships and responsibilities.

Inclusive Environment
We embrace diversity in its broadest interpretation and commit to creating an inclusive environment for all our members and stakeholders. We value the contributions of a diverse membership, which enables SWE to achieve its full potential.

Mutual Support
We provide an organization that fosters mentoring and the development of professional and personal networks.

Professional Excellence
We professionally conduct our activities, demonstrating and demanding the highest standards of business practices.

Trust
We share a common definition of success with open, transparent access to information, building mutual respect and confidence in the abilities of those with whom we lead, serve, and partner.

Objectives

Goal 1: Professional excellence – SWE will develop women engineers at all stages of their personal and professional lives.

Goal 2: Globalization – SWE will be recognized as a global, inclusive organization that promotes diversity and inclusion and serves women engineers wherever they are.

Goal 3: Advocacy – SWE will advocate for the inclusion and success of women, both present and prospective, in engineering and technology.

Goal 4: SWE will champion diversity in the engineering and technology professions and promote an inclusive environment.

Members

Over 40,000 individual members who are collegiates and professionals.

Levels

SWE has over 300 collegiate member sections and 100 professional member sections. […]

SWE Vivid Descriptions

• SWE will raise awareness of the transformative work engineers engage in, provide solutions to problems, and improve the quality of life.
• SWE will be a prime facilitator for creating personal relationships, support systems, and networking between women in engineering and technology. SWE’s global network of professional and collegiate members can share best practices and new technologies and bring awareness to issues that affect women and the engineering profession.
• SWE members will show women and girls of all ages that engineers work to solve real-world problems and improve the quality of life. By demonstrating the impact that engineering can have on lives around the globe, engineering will be seen as a top choice of education and an attractive profession for women.
• SWE will be recognized for building leadership skills, providing leadership experience, and creating opportunities for exposure to top industrial and educational leaders for both collegiate and professional members. The engineering profession will routinely value SWE to provide influential leaders and contributors, and women will be recognized for their contributions to their schools and workplaces.
• SWE will be a driving force for promoting a diverse workforce and inclusion of all, not limited to engineers. SWE will actively work to create a community where the profession welcomes and respects individual, personal, and career choices among all cultures.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)