Huddersfield students take part in Global Engineer Girls event for first time

A group of young women in engineering from the University of Huddersfield have been inspired after taking part in the Global Engineer Girls (GEG) conference in Türkiye.

A total of 10 students were selected by the University’s School of Computing and Engineering to be its first cohort on the programme, which is dedicated to empowering young women in engineering worldwide.

As one of their first opportunities under GEG, the students attended its global conference held in Istanbul in May, where they were able to connect with other women in their field and meet inspiring role models in engineering.

The partnership itself, which is one of only two in the UK for GEG, began in February and is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to widening participation, improving gender equity, and expanding opportunities for women in STEM.

One Huddersfield student, Nandana Rajeev Sandhya, who is studying Mechanical Engineering, commented: “Being part of the GEG programme was a truly inspiring experience – it gave me the opportunity to connect with ambitious women in engineering, share ideas across cultures and feel empowered to continue growing as a woman in STEM."

Another Huddersfield student, Laila Khurram, added: “Being part of the Global Engineer Girls programme in Türkiye was a really inspiring experience. As a girl studying Computer Science, hearing the journeys of so many driven and successful women reminded me to stay focused and keep pushing towards my goals, as sometimes we forget the transformative potential we all have."

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The GEG global gathering drew attendees from Türkiye, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire and the United Kingdom, where around 320 students took part. Sessions at the event featured a number of speakers who explored topics including leadership, innovation, technology, career development, and women’s empowerment in STEM.

Dr Karl Walton, Acting Head of Engineering, who accompanied the group, commented: “The GEG project has a long-standing, and proven track record of providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for thousands of young women worldwide. The GEG global gathering is the highlight of the yearly cycle, in which over 500 young women and supporters came together on a fully funded weekend in Istanbul.

“Amongst the attractions was a packed agenda of activities and motivational speakers, including: the Turkish minister for the Family and Social Services, the ambassadors to Turkey from Spain and Germany and a range of sports women, actors, and notable industrial partners.”

Founded in Türkiye in 2015, Limak Group’s Global Engineer Girls has already supported more than 2,000 young women across eight countries through mentorship, skills training, networking, and industry exposure. The organisation’s mission is to increase the number of women in STEM fields.

Huddersfield’s partnership with GEG launched within the School of Computing and Engineering, where the first cohort of female students gained access to mentorship opportunities, professional development programs, networking opportunities, and pathways to internships and employment.

Following the pilot, the scheme will be expanded to young women across all STEM disciplines at the University.