The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which has been a champion of female engineers for over 70 years, has announced a partnership with BITS Pilani Dubai Campus (BPDC) to inspire and empower women to enter the traditionally male-dominated STEM field. SWE has selected BITS Pilani Dubai Campus as the first dedicated Engineering and Technology Institute in the UAE to help with the shifting dynamic in the STEM sector. SWE is a global organization headquartered in the United States with more than 80 global affiliates dedicated to providing women engineers a distinct place and voice in the engineering business. BPDC hopes to advance SWE’s vision of a future with gender parity and equality in engineering and technology through this new international collaboration.
BPDC SWE aims to increase women’s participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by assisting them in expanding their vision and mission and equipping them with the necessary skill sets to face the outside world, whether it’s pursuing a master’s degree or working in the engineering field. SWE will host a variety of activities in BPDC where female students will be empowered through public speaking and leadership training, industrial trips, professional guided projects, working on elevator pitches, and networking with other women in leadership roles.
“Smashing stereotypes, women in the UAE and the Middle Eastern region are taking pivotal roles in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), a field traditionally dominated by men,” said Director Prof. Srinivasan Madapusi, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, under whose directives this affiliation has come into effect. In order to achieve inclusive growth in the UAE and the Middle East region, women and girls must be included in STEM. UAE’s visionary leaders have also promoted women’s active participation in STEM fields. We intend to develop a resourceful framework and a good foundation for our female students at BITS Pilani Dubai campus, in collaboration with SWE, that will serve as a springboard for them to advance in diverse disciplines of STEM and become successful.”
“Research reveals that many girls’self-select’ out of STEM topics since they often do not feel like they ‘belong,” stated Dr. R. Swarnalatha, Faculty In-Charge. Even those women who do pursue careers in STEM fields want a framework that will allow them to compete and flourish on an equal footing with their male peers. SWE’s and BPDC’s objective is to encourage women to reach their full potential as engineers and leaders, expand the image of engineering as a constructive force in improving people’s lives, and demonstrate the benefits of diversity. We’re thrilled to be starting this new initiative, and the entire team is looking forward to providing new chances for all female engineers in the making.”
With this partnership, BPDC expects to enroll 33 percent of its female students in SWE programs within a year. Students can connect with mentors, role models, faculty members, and other students through SWE’s network, which serves as a reminder that they are not alone. The headquarters affiliate has a complete list of SWE resources to assist BPDC affiliates with their success.
