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NEW ERA COLLEGE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING ROUND TABLE TALK
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.
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.
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.
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING GALA DINNER 2026
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.