The “CoDE Women EmpowHER: Advancing Women in Tech and Design Leadership” event took place on 28 July 2023. With an impressive turnout of over one hundred people, the event welcomed alumni, NUS staff, members of the public, current undergraduates, and esteemed professors from the College of Design and Engineering. Three of the four guest speakers are NUS alumni from Design or Engineering. They are Ms Fun Siew Leng, Ms Joanne Teh, Dr Aishwarya Bandla. Another guest speaker, Ms Huang Shan Shan, is a current undergraduate from the NUS College of Design and Engineering.
The event’s schedule was planned to detail, with ample time for the guest speakers to share their personal experiences and advice to the audience, as well as sufficient time for the audience to engage and participate in a panel discussion with the speakers. The panel discussion was also moderated by Dr Eliza Fong, a current assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering in NUS. Her role facilitated the flow of the discussion and ensured that the discussion progressed smoothly by guiding the conversation, managing tine, and transitioning between topics smoothly. She also ensured that diverse perspectives are represented, including underrepresented voices and viewpoints, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the discussion.
Overall, the event was a success. On behalf of NUS College of Design and Engineering, we want to thank the four guest speakers for taking the time to come down and share their experiences and personal advice. We also want to thank everyone who were involved in planning for this successful event. Lastly, the College of Design and Engineering thanks all for celebrating this empowering and meaningful occasion with us, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events.
Reflection of a Student Participant
The CoDE Women EmpowHER: Advancing Women in Tech and Design Leadership was a major success. Such initiatives play a crucial role in promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion in these industries. By providing a platform for women to showcase their talents, expertise, and leadership skills, the event not only empowers individual women but also creates a positive impact on the tech and design communities. The event also demonstrates the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages women to thrive in their careers.
The four guest speakers, Ms Fun Siew Leng, Ms Joanne Teh, Dr Aishwarya Bandla, and Miss Huang Shan Shan were exceptional in sharing their background and experiences in their respective fields. Ms Fun’s speech on debunking myths about women in the working world left a strong impression on me. I found myself resonating with some of the stereotypes that she pointed out and was in shock when she dispelled certain misconceptions. For example, I always thought that focusing and specialising in a certain area and developing in-depth expertise in this area was rewarding enough for individuals. However, Ms Fun leaned more towards the idea of venturing out of your comfort zone to broaden your perspective and expand your learning. Based on her personal experience, she enhanced her skills when she was put in a project unlike any other. The different rigour forced her to learn the nuts and bolts of public housing and her passion flourished more from there. I was inspired by her way of thinking as I had not seen it in this perspective before. Ms Fun also shared how she delegated and learned from her younger colleagues especially in areas such as IT. It was refreshing to see that someone with such high seniority was not only be able to see past a typical work hierarchy, but also welcomed ideas and knowledge from her younger colleagues.
Ms Huang Shan Shan’s talk was more relatable and familiar, considering that she is still a current undergraduate like myself. She shares that it was unconventional for a female to be in an Engineering course and felt out of place and unconfident because of this. However, her strong passion and interest in engineering, DIY projects and fixing items allowed her to continue to push through and pursue in this field. I could also empathise when she mentions how daunting it felt to be the only female in an engineering classroom and felt encouraged with her personal experience on how she managed to overcome this fear by teaching herself special skillsets and taking the time to delve deeper into areas that she may be weaker in than her fellow male course mates. It gave me a sense of confidence to overcome areas that I am afraid of failing and proved that it is not gender, but hard work that is essential to succeed.
The success of the event was not only because of the insightful and invaluable sharing by the guest speakers, but also the audience who actively participated in asking questions during the panel discussion. This event sends a powerful message about the potential of women in these fields and inspires future generations to pursue their passion and break barriers. By celebrating the achievements of women in technology and design leadership, the event serves as a catalyst for positive change and drives greater awareness about the value of gender diversity in these industries.
As a student participant who has learned and acquired so much knowledge from this event, I sincerely hope that there will be more of such events like this to encourage collaboration, networking, and mentorship opportunities, fostering a strong community of empowered women ready to make a difference.
Foong Yun Yin Beverlyn,
Year 3 Project and Facilities Management undergraduate
College of Design and Engineering
