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NEW ERA COLLEGE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING ROUND TABLE TALK

The New Era College Women in Engineering Round Table Talk is a dynamic panel discussion that commemorates International Women in Engineering Day. Founded in 2021, this event has brought together distinguished women leaders from diverse backgrounds who play various key roles in the engineering field.
The primary aim of the round table talk is to highlight the achievements and stories of successful women in engineering, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges within the field. By showcasing these inspiring narratives, the event seeks to motivate more young women and girls to consider careers in STEM, addressing
the critical need for greater gender diversity in the engineering profession.
This event is open to students, educators, policymakers, and industry professionals. With a platform for meaningful dialogue, the round table fosters engagement through a dynamic Q&A session following the panel discussion. Participants have the opportunity to connect with thought leaders, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the engineering landscape, ultimately inspiring collective efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusivity while shaping a more equitable future for women in STEM.

The inaugural Women in Engineering Round Table Talk was held under the theme “A New Generation of Women in Engineering”, marking a key step toward fostering gender diversity in STEM. The event featured the Honorable Minister for Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms. Annah Mokgethi, as the Chief Panelist. In her keynote address, Minister Mokgethi highlighted the influence of societal norms, stating, “We are still living in a patriarchal society whereby the environment reinforces gender roles. So young girls, when enrolling at tertiary institutions, tend to go after softer courses because of traditional beliefs that reinforce stereotypes that women lack the power to succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics courses.” Her remarks underscored the barriers young women face and the need to dismantle these stereotypes to encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers. The discussion featured an esteemed panel, including Matshidiso Moile, Chairperson of Botswana Women in Construction; Sally Kimangu, CEO of Destination Imagination Africa; and New Era College faculty members Ms. Glory Ifiegbu, Head of Telecommunications Engineering, and Ms. Vinitha Indira, Head of Electronic Engineering.
The second Women in Engineering Round Table Talk was held under the
theme “Inventors and Innovators #ImagineTheFuture: The Social and Economic Impact of Women in Engineering.” The Chief Panelist was
Ms. Naseem Lahri, Managing Director of Lucara Diamond Botswana.
As the first Motswana woman and the youngest woman globally to
serve as Managing Director for a mining company, Ms. Lahri shared her
experiences in a male-dominated industry.
She stressed the importance of progressive male allies, saying, “We need
men who are progressive to be allies in this fight so they can positively
contribute toward women’s empowerment and not be a barrier to their career development.”
The panel featured Ms. Matshidiso Keretlelwetse, Head of Technology
and Operations at Stanbic Bank Botswana; Ms. Maatla Pilane, Datacom
Engineer at Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTCL); Ms.
Sarah Mulwa, Founder of Now for Them Trust; Dr. Bokani Mtengi,
Senior Electronics Lecturer and Researcher at Botswana International
University of Science and Technology (BIUST); and New Era College
faculty members Ms. Glory Ifiegbu and Ms. Vinitha Indira.
The third edition of the Women in Engineering Round Table Talk was
held under the inspiring theme, “The Role of Collective Activism and
Inclusion for Women in Engineering.”
This impactful event brought together an esteemed panel of leaders and
innovators within the engineering field, including Ms. Claire Mosarwa
from the Engineers Registration Board Botswana, Ms. Basebi Mosinyi
of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA),
Ms. Tarisai Nikki Chigodora from Dichaba Consumer Electronics, Ms.
Marang Mbaakanyi of Drones for Africa, and Prof. Dr. Leong Wai from
INTI International University & Colleges in Malaysia.
The discussions focused on the challenges and opportunities for
women in engineering, with an emphasis on the need for collective
action to overcome gender-based barriers. Ms. Mosarwa passionately
addressed the importance of inspiring the next generation of female
engineers, stating, “We need to inspire young girls to take up space
with confidence, to believe that they belong in engineering and can
make a significant impact.”
Other panelists echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance
of fostering an inclusive environment that supports women’s
advancement. The dialogue underscored that through collaboration,
mentorship, and activism, the engineering industry can empower
women to excel, innovate, and shape the future.
The fourth Women in Engineering Round Table Talk explored the theme “Enhanced by Engineering,” focusing on how engineering improves various aspects of life. Panelists discussed the need for desegregation policies and grassroots deconditioning to encourage more women to pursue careers in engineering. Keamogetse Mpudi, Head of Engineering Partnerships at Stanbic Bank Botswana, stressed the importance of raising girls in equitable environments from an early age, highlighting the negative impact of cultural norms that assign girls more household chores. She called for a shift in conditioning, urging girls to pursue technical fields in engineering. Opelo Patella, Hydrogeologist at Lucara Botswana, advocated for greater workplace inclusion of women, while Resego Tsiane, Graduate Engineer at Debswana Jwaneng Mine, questioned gender segregation in the industry. Tsiane argued that workplace culture often undermines
women’s contributions, emphasizing the need for organizations to foster inclusivity. Panelists collectively called for increased advocacy
and cultural change to support women in engineering.

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING GALA DINNER 2025

The theme for this year’s edition of the Women in Engineering Roundtable Talk is “Mentorship Matters: Building Stronger Networks for Women Engineers.” The Roundtable Talk will be followed by a prestigious Gala Dinner that will bring together industry leaders, professionals, and aspiring engineers for an evening of celebration, networking, and inspiration. The Gala dinner will provide the perfect platform for meaningful connections, and reinforce the importance of mentorship in shaping the next generation of female engineers. Guests can look forward to an elegant atmosphere, engaging discussions, and the opportunity to build lasting professional relationships in a setting that champions inclusivity and innovation in STEM.