International Women in Engineering Day

UWS is committed to encouraging more women and girls to pursue careers in engineering.

We value equality and diversity. We strive to create an inclusive culture which celebrates difference and unlocks talent in our staff and students.

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) began in 2014 as a national campaign from the Women’s Engineering Society. It's since grown into a truly international celebration of women’s achievements in Engineering. INWED 2024 falls on Sunday 23 June.

INWED 2024 theme

This year’s International Women in Engineering Day will once again promote the amazing work that women engineers across the globe are doing. The theme for 2024 is #EnhancedByEngineering.

INWED gives women engineers around the world a profile when they are still hugely under-represented. 2021 figures indicate 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.

Check out our video

Hear from Dr Michele Cano, our Head of our Division of Engineering & Physical Sciences. 

Dr Cano talks about being named in the Women’s Engineering Society’s Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) 2024, as well as women in Engineering more generally.

"There are great opportunities now for female engineers. It's a fantastic time to be involved in engineering, it's a wonderful career. You get to make a difference."

Dr Michele Cano, Head of the Division of Engineering & Physical Sciences

Women in Engineering in numbers at UWS

At UWS, we have had over 100 new Scottish female Engineering undergraduates, across our Scottish campuses in the last 5 years.

We are also supporting women to further their education and careers in this field. We have helped over 150 female students graduate with a qualification in an Engineering-based subject over the last 3 years.

Those graduates are going on to make a real impact in their fields. 75% of female Engineering graduates who responded to the most recent Graduate Outcomes survey are in employment or further study 18 months after graduating.

Our mission is to widen access to higher education for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. We're proud that over the past 3 years, 25% of women in Engineering subjects at UWS are from the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland. Over 45% are from the 40% most deprived areas in Scotland.

Engineering at UWS

With over 100 years of engineering expertise under our belt, UWS’s Engineering programmes will equip you with the skills required to succeed in your chosen industry.

You’ll put your skills to the test in our well-equipped facilities. There is also the opportunity for practical training and work-based placements, giving you the hands-on experience needed to hit the ground running. Find out more about our Engineering courses below:

Hear from our graduates

We asked some of our graduates to tell us more about being a women engineer.

Nathalie Samson, BEng (Hons) Aircraft Engineering graduate

Aircraft Engineering graduate, Nathalie Samson, is thankful to UWS for helping her reach the heights and achieve her dream. In 2017, Nathalie was working in Mexico on the shop floor of global aerospace company and dreaming of becoming an engineer.

“Being so close to the structure made me realise just how fascinated I am by airplanes and how much I would love to work on these incredible pieces of engineering as an engineer.

“Two years later, I decided to enrol back at university. While this degree repeatedly pushed me, I can honestly say that I loved every minute of it and it was definitely the right decision to re-direct my career."

 

Kirsty Smith, BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (GA) graduate

Kirsty Smith was a finalist in the Apprentice Ambassador of the Year category of the recent Scottish Apprenticeship Awards 2024.

Kirsty, who graduated in 2022, benefited from studying at UWS being promoted to the post of Design Team Leader at the Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) last year.

“I chose to study the UWS Civil Engineering GA as I've always had an interest in engineering. Civil Engineering has many varied aspects, which makes it an interesting industry to work in as every project is different. Civil Engineering is often seen as a ‘man’s job’. But, more and more, females are coming into the industry each year."

 

Amina Mehmood, MSc Project Management Lecturer

MSc Project Management graduate Amina Mehmood secured her dream role as a Lecturer at UWS thanks to her studies at the University.

Amina, who is originally from Pakistan, was keen to undertake a postgraduate degree in the UK to build on her skills and experience.

After successfully completing MSc Project Management, she started a PhD at UWS.

“UWS provided me with the opportunity to apply for the post of associate lecturer during the first year of my PhD. This then opened the door to secure the post of a full-time lecturer in Project Management. The impact that UWS had on my life has been enormous. My Masters degree and PhD have set me on my dream career path. I am living my dream thanks to UWS.”

Jodi Roberts, MSc Quality Management graduate

MSc Quality Management graduate, Jodi Roberts, is hoping to take her career to the next level thanks to her time at UWS.

Jodi, who is from Jamaica, studied the programme on an online, part-time basis.

She works as a QHSE Compliance Manager at J. Wray and Nephew Limited, an alcoholic beverage manufacturer, and graduated from UWS in November 2022.

“The course didn’t disappoint. The knowledge I’ve gained will greatly assist me in excelling at and progressing in my current career.”