“International Women’s Day” at SCE

“International Women’s Day” was marked at SCE by an inspirational meeting with Hilla Haddad Chmelnik, a Space and Aeronautics Engineer, who served as the Managing Director of Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and as an Officer representing the Israeli Air Force in the Directorate of Defense, Research, & Development; she was also a member of the team that developed Israel’s “Iron Dome” and “Arrow” anti-ballistic missile systems. Her accomplishments are a source of inspiration for many of our students.

Later in the day, a workshop was held, focusing on the provision of the practical tools that would be required by students studying towards advanced degrees. This workshop, held under the guidance of Relly Brill, exposed the women participants to unique challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the important place of women in academia. Brill’s goal was to encourage women B.Sc. students to the choose advanced research track.

As part of the SCE vision for the inculcation of knowledge and the grooming of excellence amid diverse populations—the College also sees the great importance of promoting gender equality and justice in academia, in general, and particularly in the fields of Science and Engineering. Over the years, SCE has often taken action regarding that issue, towards increasing the number of women students who choose to study and work in Engineering, as students and as academic faculty members.

In the words of Prof. Ariela Burg, Supervisor of Gender Justice at SCE: “The College has invested many resources in its promotion of women students towards Engineering studies, especially focusing on those departments with small percentages of women students. The actions that were taken include: the provision of support programs; granting scholarships; and the addition of workshops and lectures in women’s self-empowerment.”