Celebrating Diversity in Tech, with Google Women’s Techmakers

The Computer Engineering and Informatics Department at Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai recently marked Women in STEM Day in collaboration with the Google Developer Student Club (GDSC) and Google's Women Techmakers.

The day was packed with activities, including a panel discussion on STEM role models, a hackathon, workshops, and much more. The celebration aimed to honour women in STEM, whilst also acknowledging the diverse and unified team at Middlesex University Dubai Computer Engineering and Informatics Department, which includes Jaspreet Singh Sethi and Maga Saadeh.

In the panel discussion, Professor Fehmida Hussain, Head of the CEI department, emphasised the importance of increasing female participation in the tech industry: "Bringing more women into tech is essential for two key reasons. First, diversity matters. A team with varied backgrounds and genders better reflects the diversity of clients and customers. Second, as the tech industry expands, the demand for talent grows. It’s a simple numbers game.”

Engie Bashir, Campus Programme Coordinator of undergraduate programmes in the MDX CEI Department, further pinpointed how this event underscores CEI commitment to ensuring equal leadership opportunities for female students.

Throughout the event, Middlesex University Dubai third-year student Fathima Riffai led an engaging panel discussion and alumni Kashfi Rahman delivered a workshop on software testing. Special recognition goes to our GDSC student leaders Sana Asraf, Jannath Muheen, and Nasneen Musadic.

Well done to all students who participated in the hackathon, proving that innovation and creativity know no gender. It's passion and determination that redefine what's possible in STEM.

Hackathon Winners:

1st  Place: Aliyah Rodrigues and Anushka Narsima Amarnath
2nd Place: Muhammad Siraj Bilal
3rd Place: Afrin Fathima Razvi @aliya