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WISE 2025: Women in STEM Empowerment, held at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), was more than just a symposium; it was a transformative experience.

Led by Ir Eur Ing Ts Dr Harvin Kaur Gurchran Singh (Assistant Professor, School of Engineering at APU) and Dr Meera Eeswaran (Senior Lecturer, School of Business at APU), both under APU’s DIGITGAL (Driving Girls in Technology, Growth, and Leadership), the event brought together over 200 participants from academia, industry, and government to spotlight inclusive innovation, equitable leadership, and the future of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

A Commitment from the Top

The day began with powerful opening remarks by Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, who underscored APU’s deep-rooted dedication to inclusion and gender equity in STEM.

“Empowering women in STEM is not just about addressing a gap, it’s about unlocking a greater future for all.”

He further emphasised APU’s commitment to fostering a culture where innovation thrives through diversity and equal opportunity.

“At APU, we believe the most impactful innovations arise when diverse minds are empowered within an environment of inclusion, equity, and shared opportunity.”

The strong presence and support of APU’s Senior Leadership Team amplified the event’s overarching message that the future of STEM must be diverse, equitable, and intentional.

Their unified participation reflected a clear institutional commitment to advancing the mission and vision of WISE 2025.

Panel Session: Emerging Innovation in Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth

A key highlight of the event was a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Professor Ts Dr Murali Raman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of APU, and a distinguished lineup of experts from academia and industry.

The dialogue centered on building inclusive innovation ecosystems and the pivotal role of women in driving sustainable tech entrepreneurship.

Panelists shared success stories, challenges, and strategies for integrating gender equity into the heart of innovation.

Also, the dialogue not only illuminated the barriers women face in STEM entrepreneurship, but also highlighted the transformative potential of inclusive leadership.

Workshops: Skills for the Real World

Workshops throughout the day empowered participants with practical tools to navigate and lead in today’s fast-evolving, tech-driven environments.

Topics included digital empowerment, sustainability innovation, leadership development, and strategies for thriving in male-dominated industries.

These sessions, curated by Dr Harvin, blended academic insight with hands-on learning, ensuring relevance to both students and professionals.

STEM Visionaries Gallery: Impact through Innovation

Student-led projects showcased in the STEM Visionaries Gallery demonstrated how youth-led innovation can align meaningfully with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

These projects emphasised that science and technology must not only be advanced, but also ethical, inclusive, and community-focused.

From climate action solutions to health-tech prototypes, the exhibits reflected both technical ingenuity and social consciousness.

Startup Pitch Session: Future Founders take the Stage

The startup pitch session was a dynamic close to the event, spotlighting student teams who presented STEM-based business ideas to an expert panel. 

With mentorship from DIGITGAL members, students demonstrated not just technical acumen but also entrepreneurial readiness.

Ideas ranged from green-tech innovations to AI-driven platforms, showcasing creativity, problem-solving, and market awareness.

The session highlighted how APU’s innovation ecosystem nurtures both talent and confidence, preparing students to be not just job seekers, but future founders and changemakers.

Momentum into Legacy

For the closing address, Dr Harvin emphasised that WISE 2025 is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a sustained movement toward systemic change in STEM empowerment.

With mentorship programmes, grant proposals, and policy-driven initiatives already in motion, she reaffirmed that the event’s impact would extend far beyond a single day.

“WISE 2025 is a call to action to transform not just opportunities, but mindsets and systems.

“We are building more than careers; we are building a culture of inclusion, courage, and leadership.

“In addition, i want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the schools, departments, functional units, student bodies, and external partners, both within and beyond APU, whose unwavering support and collaboration helped turn this vision into a powerful reality,” she said.