Grand Launching

18th April 2017 was a prestigious day for all students of USM, as it was the day when IEEE USM Student Branch Women in Engineering Affinity Group was launched. Held in PUMA Hall at USM Engineering Campus, the event was carried out in the morning from 8am until 11am and was opened to all students of USM Engineering Campus to participate. Interactive sessions and lucky draws were carried out throughout the event as well, to break the tension between the committee of WIE and the participants on that day.

            It’s the 21st century and more girls are pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Women are beginning to fill positions at work which were only given to men in the past. However, it takes more than just sheer determination and perseverance to achieve what these women achieved, and some women deem themselves lacking and incapable when compared to men especially in fields dominated by men. Most of the time it is the lack of confidence, not talent, that makes it impossible for a young woman to achieve the same success as any other man.

            As an effort to counter gender disparity in STEM, WIE Affinity Group serves as a beacon of inspiration to all young women who pursue a career in the male-dominated field. Proper mentorship and encouragement from women who had excelled in the STEM fields is one of the ways to urge female undergraduates to step out of their comfort zones and believe that their future is not limited to only becoming a stay-at-home mother.

            WIE Affinity Group aspires to raise awareness among university students that girls play an important role in science and technology as well, and if given the opportunity they will be able to contribute to the industry and lead the community to greatness. To achieve this, WIE serves as a platform in understanding the problems that female engineering students commonly face, and coming up with the best solution to solve it.

            The event began with an inspiring speech from the advisor of Women In Engineering Affinity Group, AP Dr Rosmiwati Mohd Mokhtar, who emphasized that university life is not just about academic merits, but also achieving excellence in co-curriculum, self-management and soft skills. It is the 21st century where everyone stands as equals regardless of genders, and women play a role just as important as men in self-improvement and personality-building.

Speech given by AP Dr Rosmiwati Mohd Mokhtar, advisor of Women In Engineering Affinity Group.

            The speech was then followed by an interactive session led by the vice chairman of the Affinity Group, Andi Farah Adila binti Arif. She stated the importance of women involving themselves in the STEM fields, and why men should put aside their stereotypes which women are more physically and mentally lacking when it comes to technology and engineering. Gender stereotypes can only be broken if men choose to disregard the negativities of a female colleague in their workplace, and instead think of what they can possibly achieve together by complementing each other’s weaknesses.

            Shum Kar Yen, the chairman of IEEE USM Women in Engineering (WIE), conducted the briefing that followed. She explained the role WIE will play in the engineering field and how it will influence not just the female undergraduates but also young girls who express an interest to venture into STEM careers. She touched on the importance of leadership and the various ways of networking with outsiders, especially industrial company leaders. This gave the participants a clearer view who intend to be a part of WIE and the benefits they will obtain. The event also gave a brief picture of the future external and internal events which would be carried out by WIE, and a recruitment drive was opened to all participants.

            WIE Affinity Group is not just about female empowerment, but also to support the ideal where one day men and women will stand as equals and focus on their strengths instead of criticising each other’s flaws. The society is ever-changing to fit into a world of science and technology, and we need every force, male or female, to help the society in adapting to it.

Committee members and participants that attend to the WIE grand launching.