IET Singapore Breaking Barriers: Fostering Inclusive Environments

Join us to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the STEM industries! Firstly, we have a talk by Ms Juvena Huang, aka The Wandering Wasp, where she shares her personal journey navigating male-dominated industries, from engineering to extreme sports. Next, we share the efforts in the IET to encourage brilliant women who are passionate about STEM. Lastly, we have a panel discussion which invites outstanding women professionals to share their career journey so far and perspective in the DEI topic.

After the dinner, we invite the speaker, Ms. Juvena Huang on stage to deliver a talk. Ms Juvena is a captivating speaker and global adventurer. She will anchor the talk on her solo adventure riding 44,000km from Singapore to Czech Republic on her scooter over 27 months, where she shares how she navigates through unfamiliar environment, her attempt to challenge the societal norms and expectations of what a woman is capable of achieving, as well as her insights when exploring the countries’ culture during her journey. Besides, drawing from her experience in the biking community that is male-dominated community, Juvena will highlight the impact of perception and behaviour on women’s participation, which serves as her motivation to promote a culture of inclusivity, equality and respect in any communities and industries. 

Besides, we will introduce the efforts in the IET to encourage women participation in STEM industries. We invite Nilar Shyun Mya, IP Provisioning Engineer, Singtel to provide an introduction and the recent status of the Young Women Engineer Awards held by the IET headquarter. 

Next we have a panel discussion which is themed on the panellists’ tech and engineering career. They will discuss their ups-and-downs in their current career and their experience on diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) in workplace. There are currently 2 panellists:

1.    Wang Beiyi, Vice Chairwoman for NTU on Campus
2.    Liew Choytung, Silicon Design Engineer, AMD

Talk Synopsis: 

Solo Ride from Singapore to Europe: A Woman’s Journey of Courage, Connection, and Empowerment
In 2015, Juvena Huang embarked on a solo overlanding adventure, riding 44,000 km from Singapore to the Czech Republic on her scooter. This transformative journey not only tested her resilience but also redefined how she saw herself and the world. Confronting challenges ranging from mechanical failures to cultural barriers, she discovered the strength to defy societal expectations and pursue her dreams.

Juvena draws a compelling parallel between the male-dominated worlds of motorcycling and engineering, highlighting the shared obstacles women face in both fields—self-limiting beliefs, systemic bias, and underrepresentation. Through her experiences, she illustrates how women can overcome these challenges to step into leadership roles and thrive.

Her talk also addresses the role of male allies in fostering inclusivity, dismantling stereotypes, and promoting diversity. With personal anecdotes and practical insights, Juvena inspires audiences to envision a future where individuals are empowered, and boundaries are seen not as barriers but as opportunities for growth and innovation.