IEEE WIE Sri Lanka Section organized the International WIE Day celebration 2023 on 24th June aligning with International Women in Engineering Day(June 22nd) to honor and empower women engineers who have made remarkable contributions to STEM.
The theme of the event was “Empowering Work-Life Balance for Women Engineers,” focusing on the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment for women in engineering.
Dialog Axiata PLC, Col-02 served as the physical venue for the event, which successfully gathered over 95 participants from various backgrounds. The event was held from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm The attendees included university undergraduates, industry professionals, and academia forming a strong network.
The event featured various engaging activities, including an insightful panel discussion on the event’s theme. Ms. Devika Abeysuriya ( Director of General Engineering, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation), Ms. Thejani Yapa (Lead Engineer in Networking and Automation Support Division, Dialog Axiata PLC), and Ms Lanka Perera (Electrical Engineer at Ceylon Electricity Board) shared their experiences and perspectives, on the challenges and opportunities women encounter in their engineering careers. In addition to the panel discussion, there was a capacitive Tech Talk titled ‘”Engineering Approach to Enterprise Software Development” presented by Ms. Anuradha Muddanayaka, Quality Engineering Lead at Wiley.
During the International WIE Day celebration, participants had the opportunity to engage in a variety of networking activities and share their ideas and experiences.
The event was supported by three partnered companies- Wiley, CodeGen International, and Ideamart demonstrating the industry’s commitment to empowering women engineers and promoting gender diversity in STEM fields
The event’s success was further highlighted by the positive impact it had on the undergraduate participants. The event served as a platform to introduce around 15 IEEE WIE affinity group undergraduates to the purpose and significance of IEEE WIE. They gained awareness about its mission, enhancing enthusiasm and determination to pursue their aspirations in STEM fields. Participants expressed gratitude for the chance to network and share experiences, highlighting the value of such gatherings in strengthening the engineering community. Furthermore, the event was enlightened by the presence of esteemed past chairs, Dr Rasara Samarasinghe and Professor Jeewani who also attended the celebration. Their presence inspired members of the IEEE WIE Sri Lanka Section to empower women in engineering.
The International WIE Day 2023 celebration was a remarkable event for the IEEE WIE Sri Lanka Section, as it marked one of the largest physical gatherings after a considerable period. With the world gradually recovering from the challenges of the past, the event served as a significant milestone in bringing together women engineers and enthusiasts around the country in a physical setting, nurturing a sense of togetherness and community.
