A celebration of Engineering and Women in STEM - Closing Event

The closing event for our 2019 veski inspiring women STEM sidebyside program was held on Monday, 18 November 2019 as part of a Celebration of Engineering and Women in STEM at the Melbourne Museum. The event was proudly supported by the Department of International Trade, UK, Institute of Civil Engineers UK (ICE UK) , Museums Victoria, and the British Consulate General Melbourne.

Amidst the dinosaurs, taxidermy and some live exhibits Dr Nurin Veis, Director – Research & Collections, Museums Victoria, welcomed the 2018 and 2019 participants and over 120 key leaders across academia, government and industry.

The evening began with Ms Julia Page, veski MD & chief executive and STEM sidebyside Founding Partner, sharing the impact the program has had on the lives of over 80 women in STEM since its inception. In the last two years of operation, the program has comprised of 18 workshops and masterclasses over 12 sessions with a total of over 2600 hours of knowledge transferred!

Mr Frank McGuire, Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research addressed the audience on the commitment of the Victorian Government to STEM education and research and to support diversity in the STEM workforce. 

Dr Lakshmi Wijeyewickrema, 2019 STEMsidebyside participant shared what the program had meant to her and concluded with a vote of thanks to all the facilitators and supporters of the program without whom their professional development journeys would not have been possible.

After which the participants and guests had a unique opportunity to hear from trailblazer Dr Jean Venables CBE, Past President ICE UK, on her career achievements as a civil engineer and a woman in STEM. She delivered her keynote on ‘Sustainability – how can engineers deal with the climate emergency’.

Mr Chris Holtby OBE, British Consul General Melbourne and another STEM sidebyside Founding Partner reiterated the importance of the program, supporting women in STEM and thanked all the supporters who have assisted in the program's growth.

All photos are credited to photographer Xavier Smerdon Photography and Museums Victoria.