About | Women of Manitoba Engineering Network

HOW WOMEN STARTED

The Women of Manitoba Engineering Network (WOMEN) was established in January 2017, on the heels of an annual conference hosted by the Canadian Federation of Engineering Students, the Conference on Diversity in Engineering (CDE), which aims to promote discussion on diversity in the field of engineering.

It is from attendance at the 2016 CDE that delegates for the University of Manitoba (UofM) were inspired to found WOMEN. The conference provides a unique opportunity to learn and network with engineering students from across Canada and learn about many different programs and services available to engineering students across the country. Importantly, the discussions that ensued with students from other Canadian Universities motivated UofM delegates to become actively involved in the promotion and enhancement of programs and services offered to minority groups in the Faculty of Engineering at the UofM.

As a student group, WOMEN aims to promote opportunities and to create a sense of community for female identifying engineering students at the UofM. We have conducted events with engineering professionals, as well as workshops involving technical skills, and a mentorship program for female identifying students across all department disciplines.

WOMEN executive members

WHAT WE DO

Creating discussion and building community.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Women of Manitoba Engineering Network has continued to hold events virtually, as well as a virtual mentorship program. We have conducted events for networking over Zoom such as Art & Science Night, and Game Night. Going forward in 2022, we hope to host more events online or in-person as regulations permit.

The WOMEN mentorship program provides opportunity for students of upper years to mentor those new to the faculty. The program was created with the aim of supporting new female-identifying students in engineering, following the Engineers Geoscientists of Manitoba 30 by 30 goal.