According to the main organiser of the event, Dr Leenta Grobler, a senior lecturer in electrical,electronic and computer engineering, this initiative is to celebrate women in engineering. ‘It is all about changing lives and encouraging female learners to select engineering as their career of choice.’ she said.
She added that it was imperative ‘to introduce engineering as a career to female learners and to let them get a feel of what engineering is about as this is still a male-dominated industry.
Grobler says the one-day workshop consisted of hands-on projects, sessions in chemical, mechanical, industrial, electrical, electronic and computer engineering schools.
Christo van der Merwe, a lecturer at electrical, electronic and computer engineering, was happy to assist, although the project was aimed at women. He dispelled the perception that engineering is for men.
‘The idea that engineering is all about hard labour has put off a lot of learners who have ended up in other faculties. They should have considered engineering as a career choice,’ he said.
Merseta came on board this year and contributed R300 000 for the event.
Bianca Coetzee from Bersig Academy and Meghan van Deventer from Hoerskool Transvalia.
Caren van der Walt, from marketing and communications, takes pride in the School of Engineering and regards it as the best. ‘We are proud of what we do here. When students complete their engineering degrees, they walk out here as the best engineers. They receive hands-on and practical experience.
After today, we hope that the learners have a changed mindset about engineering. It’s easier to work hard in maths and science if you know where you are going. If you know that you want to study engineering, you’ll be motivated to improve your results.’
Grobler says the event owes its success to Merseta’s coming on board this year and its financial contribution.
Ayanda Chakela, Phemelo Masilo, Boitumelo Mabaso and Bontle Motsumi from Botoka Technical School.
Bontle Motsumi (19) from Botoka Technical School in Ikageng described the initiative as enriching and interesting because, although it had taught them what they had already been taught theoretically, here they could do it practically. She said the lack of resources at her school was a great obstacle in getting the adequate grounding. ‘At school, there’s more group work. Here, we could work independently and complete the tasks. It was also an informative session and I learnt a lot,’ she said.
Bianca Coetzee from Bergsig Academy said she had been unsure of the career she wants to pursue after Gr. 12. However, she said, she was now positive about what she plans to study.
Meghan van Deventer from Hoërskool Transvalia described the initiative as a good learning experience.
Sharilize du Plessis, a Gr. 10 learner from Potch Girls’ High says she was interested in mechanical engineering. ‘I now know there are a lot of opportunities for females in the engineering industry.
‘This really helps to show what mechanical engineering is about,’ she said.
Larischa Botes, a Gr.12 learner from Monument High School in Krugersdorp would like to study BSc Physics. She described Femmegineering as ‘a wonderful initiative that aims to empower women.
‘Women can do everything that men can do, even better,’ she said.
After a hard day of designing, listening to presentations and enquiring about the riveting profession, the learners were invited to a gala dinner where they feasted and listened to phenomenal women in engineering.
