Empowering the Next Generation of Women Engineers with WoMAEn

This International Women in Engineering Day, we look at how WoMAEn (Women of MAE), a student-led community at NTU's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, connects students through mentorship, networking dinners, and career workshops.

A Community Built By Women, for Women

Co-founded by NTU MAE alumni Professor Yeong Wai Yee and Zhou Xuanle, Class of 2024, with faculty advisor Associate Professor Hortense Le Ferrand guiding its growth from the beginning, WoMAEn’s initiatives bring together students across every year of study, alongside alumni and faculty.

Xuanle has watched that community take shape from its earliest days.

"It was incredible to witness such enthusiastic participation and exchange of experiences," she reflected on one of WoMAEn's networking dinners. "I am grateful to our inspiring alumnae, undergraduate speakers and professors who took time out of their busy schedules to generously share their insights."

Xuanle (second row, most left), outgoing chair Chua Li Ting, Class of 2026 (second row, second from left), and Prof Yeong (first row, second from right) at WoMAEn's networking dinner in 2024.

Where Mentorship Becomes Belonging

For outgoing chair Chua Li Ting, Class of 2026, the heart of WoMAEn has never been about scale.

"WoMAEn has a unique mission within MAE," she shared. "Our focus is on creating initiatives that empower students through skill development, mentorship and professional growth opportunities."

For her, impact does not always show up in large events or numbers. Sometimes it can be found in smaller moments, such as a junior seeking advice from a senior, a conversation that provides reassurance, or friendships formed through networking events.

"Seeing students actively participate, form meaningful connections, be it at networking dinners, resume review workshops, or volunteering at events such as the Open House, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience," Li Ting said.

Many of those friendships started exactly the way hers did. Alumni return year after year as speakers and mentors, creating a community where the line between who is teaching and who is learning becomes pleasantly blurred.

"WoMAEn in Dialogue: Lead with Confidence" event with guest speaker Ms Vivian Lim, Lead Curator of TEDxSingapore and MAE alumna (front row, fifth from left) in 2026, organised by WoMAEn Researchers Chapter and POWERS (Promotion of Women in Engineering, Research and Science).

"Beyond Academia, Navigating the Leap into Venture Building" event with guest speaker Dr Andreea Radulescu, Venture Building Director of ATUM Ventures (second row, third from right) in 2025, organised by WoMAEn Researchers Chapter and POWERS.

Preparing Women to Walk Into the Room

WoMAEn's support extends beyond connection into something more immediately practical: career readiness.

At a Resume Review Workshop organised with the Society of Women Engineers and NTU's Career and Attachment Office, students moved from learning how to build a polished resume to sitting across from industry professionals who gave direct, personalised feedback.

Resume and networking workshop organised by MAE WoMAEn, SWE@NTU, and supported by NTU Careers and Attachment Office in 2026.

For incoming chair Ishita Agrawal, Class of 2027, that direct access changed how students saw themselves walking into future interviews.

"By hearing from companies themselves on what they look for and how they assess applications, students were better equipped to present themselves," she shared.

Students left the workshop with sharper resumes and the start of a professional network they could continue building beyond university.

Prof Yeong (third from left), faculty advisor Prof Hortense Le Ferrand (fourth from left), Li Ting (fourth from right) and Ishita (second from right) at WoMAEn’s networking dinner in 2025.

What Comes Next

The next chapter for WoMAEn is already taking shape.

A first-ever WoMAEn-led Hackathon is in the works, fully planned and run by the student team themselves, giving members the chance to apply their engineering skills to solve real problems alongside their peers.

MATLAB Onramp Workshop in 2025 organised by WoMAEn in collaboration with NTU Women In Tech, SWE@NTU, POWERS, and Anata (Analytical & Data Science Club) from the School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.

The community is also expanding its workshops and mentoring initiatives, with more industry engagement sessions, networking events, and career development programmes planned.

For Li Ting, the proudest part has never been the size of any single event.

"Knowing that WoMAEn's initiatives have made a positive difference, even in small ways, is something I am truly proud of," she said.

On International Women in Engineering Day, that is what stands out most about WoMAEn. It is not built on one big moment, but on members consistently showing up for each other.

About WoMAEn

WoMAEn (Women of MAE) is a student community under NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, co-founded by NTU MAE alumni Professor Yeong Wai Yee and Zhou Xuanle, with the support of faculty advisor Associate Professor Hortense Le Ferrand.

WoMAEn organises mentorship, industry engagement, networking and professional development initiatives for women in mechanical and aerospace engineering. The community also supports wider outreach efforts, including events such as Girls in Aviation Day organised by Women in Aviation Singapore.