Teesside University celebrates International Women in Engineering Day by empowering the next generation

This International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), Teesside University is proud to spotlight the outstanding achievements of women in engineering, while continuing its commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive engineering workforce in the Tees Valley and beyond.

In a profession where women remain significantly underrepresented — with 2021 figures showing only 16.5% of UK engineers are women — Teesside University is working to drive change.

In partnership with Enginuity and RWE Offshore Wind Farm, the University launched the Women in Engineering Scholarships.

Women in Engineering Scholarships to attract and support women pursuing engineering-related degrees.

Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity and Teesside University alumna, said: “Working with Teesside University to offer these scholarships is a privilege. The skills developed through an engineering degree — or any pathway into engineering — are life-changing. My advice to women considering a career in engineering? Just do it.”

Matthew Swanwick, Project Director at RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, added: “RWE benefits immensely from the talented women in our workforce. We are proud to support initiatives like this that actively increase diversity in the sector.”

One of the scholarship recipients, Jorja Watt, currently studying chemical engineering, described the award as transformative.

Jorja said: “To be awarded the scholarship is honestly life-changing. It eases financial and time pressures, giving me the freedom to engage in extracurriculars and volunteering, opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had.”

Teesside University is also celebrating inspiring alumni such as Precious Nwagboso, a graduate of the MSc IT Project Management programme (2021), now working as a Senior Controls Engineer at Turner & Townsend on large-scale aviation infrastructure programmes.

A passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, she volunteers with the Association for Project Management (APM) to mentor young talent.

“Engineering isn’t just about hard hats and formulas,” she said. “It’s about curiosity, creativity, and making a real impact. There is space for you here.”

Teesside University’s Women in Engineering Fund provides vital financial support to women engineers, helping cover costs such as:

· Essential learning resources

· Transport to university or placements

· Reducing reliance on part-time work

· Outreach activities to inspire young girls

Members of the public and industry are encouraged to support the campaign. Even a small donation can help change the trajectory of a student’s future.

If you would like to discuss supporting a Women in Engineering Scholarship, please get in touch.

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