WEST

Women in Engineering, Science and Technology

WEST is a student-led group at UVic that partners with industry professionals and academia to engage female-identifying students in real-world, industry-driven design projects and workshops, creating opportunities for them to gain technical and hands-on skills.

WEST is committed to empowering female-identifying students in engineering, science, and technology through engaging and meaningful partnerships with industry professionals and academia. We strive to provide students with opportunities to build their technical and practical skills as they work on real-world design projects that foster their career growth and professional development.

WHY DOES WEST EXIST?

According to Statistics Canada, “among high school graduates, women are 29.8% less likely than men to enroll in a postsecondary STEM program shortly after graduation. The gender gap in STEM enrolment falls to 19.9% when focusing only on bachelor’s degree STEM programs.”

Women face numerous barriers when pursuing postsecondary studies and careers in STEM, making community and accessible opportunities essential. This is why WEST was founded: to provide female-identifying students with the chance to connect with industry professionals, build critical technical skills, and gain a supportive community alongside other accomplished women in STEM.