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January 29, 20252 min read

Tait at WiE CAN: Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Engineers

  

Tait Communications was thrilled to collaborate as an industry partner for the WiE CAN Residential Programme at the University of Canterbury, with the Tait Foundation proudly supporting this event. Hosted in mid January, this programme is designed to inspire young women considering engineering as a future career. This phenomenal four-day programme gives students hands-on experience through workshops and activities, immersing them in the world of engineering. 

 Tait’s Workshop: Innovating with Solar Power 

On the first day, our team—including Dr. Alan Murray, Laurence Prins, Elizabeth Comery, and Claire Kim—hosted a workshop where participants built a solar-powered gate monitoring alarm. The activity showcased the practical and creative problem-solving skills essential in engineering. Client Specific Development Manager Dr. Alan Murray  said that all three of the groups of students the Tait team mentored for the workshops were incredibly engaged, and it was also interesting to note that the girls had a strong interest in mechanical engineering.  

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Supporting Future Engineers 

In addition to running our workshop, several of our female employees—Natalia Golovacheva, Sophie Li, Georgia Solly, Aishwarya Rachala and Chamali  Kariyawasamlage —attended other sessions and engaged with students, sharing insights about their careers and experiences in the industry. Bonnie Duggan delivered an inspiring presentation on the final day, detailing her journey to becoming a Design Engineer in the UX team. She encouraged the students to view failure as an opportunity to learn, proving that perseverance leads to success. 

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Celebrating Innovation 

James Collett, Tait’s Engineering Manager of Software had the honor of judging the Entrepreneurship Challenge, where the student's demonstrated creativity and collaboration in solving real-world problems. 

“Participants, working in teams of five, were tasked with solving one of three pressing issues: loneliness in the elderly, supporting children's education without access, and reducing food wastage. Each team collaborated to develop innovative solutions and presented their ideas in a three-minute pitch. Alongside a panel of judges from the UC Summer Start-Up Camp, we evaluated the presentations based on technical merit, feasibility, and the "wow" factor. It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm, teamwork, and creativity that each group brought to the challenge.” 

- James Collett

 

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Looking Ahead 

Thank you to UC Engineering and their amazing Residential Assistants for going beyond in hosting this incredible event. We’re thrilled to be part of such a meaningful initiative and can’t wait to return next year to continue fostering the next generation of female engineers! 

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