Women in Engineering Summit Champions Inclusivity and Innovation in Nairobi

On 7th March 2025, the University of Nairobi Towers became a hub of inspiration as the Engineering Students’ Association hosted the third annual Women in Engineering Students’ Summit (WIESS 3.0). Under the powerful theme "Leading the Wave of Change," the two-day event championed women's role in transforming Kenya's engineering landscape through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

The summit explored three critical sub-themes: "Navigating Change: Engineering the Future Amidst Technology & Environmental Shifts," which examined how women engineers can lead in creating innovative and sustainable solutions; "Empowering Women: Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders," which addressed strategies for fostering representation and equipping women with leadership resources; and "Balancing Leadership & Life: Finding Harmony in a Fast-Paced World," which provided insights on harmonizing career ambitions with personal responsibilities.

Prof. Mulaa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, highlighted the university's commitment to creating inspiring spaces for women in STEM.

"The University of Nairobi has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform engineering spaces into vibrant, exciting, and inspiring environments, especially for women in STEM," Prof. Mulaa stated, delivering remarks on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson.

Principal Secretary, the State Department for Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, represented by Caroline Owade, a researcher at the State Department for Higher Education, challenged participants to move beyond dialogue to action.

"Leading the wave of change in engineering and technology means going beyond conversations and taking deliberate, strategic action to remove barriers for women in STEM," she emphasised.

A highlight of the summit was the address by Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK) Chairperson, Eng. Jane Mutulili, who delivered a stirring message about the human element in engineering. "The future of engineering isn't just about innovation or technology—it's about people. It's about creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to contribute and lead," Eng. Mutulili told the rapt audience.

The summit featured robust address by distinguished professionals such as Prof. Eng. Siphilla Mumenya, who shared insights on career growth and leadership, and Prof. Eng. Ayub Gitau, who addressed the unique challenges women face in engineering leadership.

In an inspiring panel on sustainability, Dr. Evi Viza of the University of Scotland joined local experts Eng. Maureen Auka and Eng. Damaris Oyaro to discuss the critical intersection of research, policy, and innovation.

The summit continued on Saturday—International Women's Day—with participants visiting a local girls' high school to inspire students to pursue STEM courses.

As the engineering world continues to evolve, WIESS 3.0 demonstrated that Kenyan women engineers are not just keeping pace with change—they're leading it.