Stellenbosch University
Welcome to Stellenbosch University
Women are changing Engineering … for the better!
Author: Liesel Koch
Published: 18/09/2018

​"Women are changing Engineering … for the better!" says Prof Deborah Blaine, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. She was one of the speakers at the annual Women in Engineering afternoon hosted by die Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University (SU), on 12 September 2018.

Approximately 160 Grade 10 to 12 school girls (from the Cape Peninsula, Boland and Swartland) who excel in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, attended this year's function. 

In 2003, August Engelbrecht (the then Faculty Officer) introduced a Women in Engineering afternoon to promote Engineering as a career amongst women. Mr Engelbrecht, who is now responsible for recruitment and student retention at the Faculty, says: "From the inception of this initiative, we invited role models in the engineering fraternity - industry, academia and current students - to share their experience and the reasons why they think engineering is an excellent career choice for women."

The girls were blown away by the enthusiasm of the four speakers. Dr Magreth Tadie, lecturer in the Department of Process Engineering, set the scene with these words: "This is not a lecture or a lesson - let's have a conversation about Engineering." 

Final-year Civil Engineering student, Lauren October, outgoing Chairperson of the SU Engineering Students' Council, shared some of her thoughts: "I want to be successful. Engineering has given me so much confidence and Stellenbosch has given me the opportunity to work with strong women. Engineering will educate you in ways you never thought possible."

Prof Blaine said that the lecturers at the SU Faculty of Engineering want to provide the best possible space for students to become the best they could be. She noted: "You do not have to try to be 'one of the guys'. You have your own space in Engineering. Women understand people better and have more patience. Therefore, women engineers play a very important role in their profession. Women are changing Engineering for the better."

Prof Blaine listed the tips by top female engineers given to students for graduate career success: 

1. Seek out role models and mentors.

2. Don't underestimate the value of communication and people skills in Engineering.

3. Female engineers don't need to 'man up'.

4. Exude confidence while at work.

(See targetjobs.co.uk)

She stressed that it is possible to be an engineer, a wife and a mother, as she manages to fulfil all three roles (with a little help, of course!).  

Robyn Goff, a Maties industrial engineer with six years' industry experience, kicked off her talk by telling the audience that she never even considered engineering as a career. "Boy, what a good mistake that was!" she joked. She sketched her career path as an industrial engineer over the past six years. This included positions in the bakery industry, in the corporate world as well as in the mining industry. It was quite clear that she loves her job and the challenges it brings. "Being an engineer, is a privilege," she told the young ladies in the audience.

Ms Goff concluded by sharing a few lessons she has learnt:

1. Find you own voice.

2. Work hard and work smart.

3. You don't have to do it alone.

4. Not everyone is going to like you. And that's okay.

5. Take time out.

Over the past 15 years the Women in Engineering initiative has delivered good results. Mr Engelbrecht explains: "Many of the girls who attended the function decided to take on the challenge to study Engineering. Through this event we managed to dispel the myths that Engineering is a career for 'men only', that it is a 'dirty job for nerds' or 'too difficult for girls'."

Currently, about 25% of Maties BEng students are women. What is more, since 2003, four female engineering students from this Faculty won the coveted Chancellor's Medal, which is presented annually to a final-year or postgraduate student for outstanding achievements. This medal is the highest honour Stellenbosch University can bestow on a student. 

Main photograph:

The speakers from the left are Lauren October. Robyn Goff, Prof Deborah Blaine and Dr Margreth Tadie.

Gifts for all who attended were sponsored by Van Schaik Bookstore in the Neelsie.