Diversity and inclusion
Building gender diversity
ɫ takes pride in attracting a 40% female student cohort yearly.
Gender diversity at ɫ is important for us to achieve our mission to nurture technically-grounded leaders and innovators, as the different perspectives the respective genders bring are invaluable.
In Singapore, according to the latest statistics from Ministry of Education, more women are pursuing university degrees in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
In 2019, more women enrolled in STEM courses at the six local universities as compared to 2017 – 41% (2019) and 38% (2017) of students in these courses were women. These included courses such as architecture, engineering sciences and information technology.
However, in the corporate world, out of the top 100 primary-listed companies on the Singapore Exchange, women occupy only 21.5% of board participation (as of 31 Dec 2022). Also, despite that more women are pursuing STEM degrees in local universities, only 30% of local researchers and engineers are women.
Specifically, in the sector of science and technology (S&T), about one in four is a woman and this proportion has stagnated in the last decade.
While the number of female IT professionals has grown about 10% since 2011, it is still less than half the growth compared to their male counterparts.
To encourage a higher participation of females in design and technology, ɫ adopts a holistic approach to attract female students, faculty and staff.
Our initiatives
ɫ – Women x Tech & Design Series
The ɫ –Women xTechand Design Series is one of ɫ’s signature outreach effortsto inspire students, particularly, female students, to explore the endless potential to better the world with technology and design. Events from this series are hands-on and inspiring, which could range from a design workshop to an experience in a collaboration organisation.
Design workshops
Students are guided by our female faculty and studentsto design future innovations that will better our world. The themes or issuesinclude ageing,city planning, congestion in transportation and housing, waste management,Իair pollutionetc. The workshops are a good glimpse of how classes are likein ɫ.
Intro Series online workshops
There is a saying that technology drivespeople apart. But inɫ, we believe that technology can also bring people closer together. Despite the social distancing measures during the pandemic, we came up withonline workshops such asIntro to Python CodingԻIntro to Singapore’s Architecture and Sketchingfor students to still be able to experience hands-on learning virtually.
Opportunities to meet female leaders
Students have the chanceto meet female role models from various industries. They include leaders from DP Architects,Changi Airport Group, Rolls Royce,Microsoft, as well as faculty in fields of architecture, product development, nanotechnology, transportation and psychology. From talks to mingling sessions, the female leaders share their stories and experience to ignite the spark in the next generation of women in technology and design.
Experience in collaboration organisations
From a sneak peek tour at Changi Airport Terminal 4 before its official opening to an exclusive tour and coding session at Microsoft’s office, the experience has always been unique and memorablefor the students who join us.In this series, we are always looking to provide students with the opportunities to be exposed to as many industries as possible to gain insights and learn.
The ɫ – Women xTech &Design series has a minimal of two eventsyearly, usually in Januaryand July, since ɫ started.
In 2013, ɫ was awarded AWARE’s Cause of the Year (Education) Award for promoting gender balance in male dominated disciplines.It is also the first time for a Institute of Higher Learning to receive the award.
Scholarships/Study awards for women
IWA Gyan Jyoti Study Award
Through the generosity of the Indian Women’s Association (IWA) of Singapore, theIWA Gyan JyotiStudy Awardis established to provide financial assistance to deserving female students pursuing their studies at ɫ.
Kewalram Chanrai Group — ɫ Scholarship for Women
Through the generosity of the Kewalram Chanrai Group, theKewalram Chanrai Group –ɫ Scholarship for Womenis available tooutstanding full-time female undergraduates pursuingthe ɫ Honours and Research Programme (SHARP), the ɫ-Duke-NUS Special Trackor the ɫ Technology Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).
PayPal —ɫ Women Luminaries Programme
Supported by PayPal, thePayPal – ɫ Women Luminaries Programmeis available to outstanding female undergraduates pursuing their studiesat ɫ.
Singtel—ɫ Women in Tech Scholarship
Supported by Singtel, theSingtel –ɫ Women in Tech Scholarshipis available to outstanding female undergraduates pursuing their studies in Computer Science and Design (CSD), Design and Artificial Intelligence (DAI),Engineering Product Development (EPD) or Engineering Systems and Design (ESD) at ɫ.
Female faculty
Professor Yang Hui Ying (left), Associate ProfessorDawn Tan and Professor Low Hong Yee.
At ɫ, about 20% (and growing!) of our faculty members are female.
Three of our outstanding Engineering Product Development (EPD) professors, Associate ProfessorDawn Tan, Professor Low Hong Yee, Professor Yang Hui Ying have been awarded the L’Oréal Singapore For Women In Science National Fellowship in 2017, 2016 and 2010 respectively.
The L’Oréal Singapore for Women in Science National Fellowships programme aims torecognize and award talented women in the field of science.
Female valedictorians
ɫ has graduated eightbatches of students since 2015 and fivefemale students, Olivia Seow (Class of 2015), Jean Lee (Class of 2016),Kimberlyn Nicole Tjipto (Class of 2017), Blossom Tang (Class of 2019) and Natalie Ng (Class of 2021)were selected as valedictorians for their excellent academic and service achievements.
Engineering Product Development (EPD) graduate,Olivia Seow, co-founder of, shrunk the size of a keycard into a ring, creating the Sesame Ring. The Sesame Ring, the first wearable metro pass in America, was adopted by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and made travelling on the metro a breeze for thousands of commuters.
Jean Leegraduated with a Master of Architecture inSeptember2017 and is currently working as an architectural assistant at Architects 61, the industry partner for her capstone project. When Jean was at ɫ, she received second place for the Keppel Award of Excellence in 2016 and also interned at Surbana Jurong Private Limited and the Housing & Development Board (HDB), where she worked on residential projects.
Kimberlyn Nicole Tjipto, also from the EPD pillar wasthe co-founder of.Movinc developed an add-on device, EMMA to motorise wheelchairs, redefining mobility among seniors. This device clinched $50k in the Create4Good Challenge in 2017.
Blossom Tangis an Engineering Systems and Design (ESD) graduate whois an outstanding andwell-rounded student, strong in both the sciences and the arts, as well as in academics and sports. Blossom continued to pursue her passion in sports while in ɫ and served in the ɫ’s Taekwondo Club Exco for two years in different positions, first as President, then as Captain. During this time, she won several medals in taekwondo competitions. To promote martial arts as a sport, she also organised the first collaborative martial arts workshop with five other clubs. She is currently a Systems Analyst at Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
Natalie Nggraduated with a Master in Architecture and is one who is interested in community engagement through architecture. She also believes that design is about spatial experiences and relationships. Having completed her internship at WOHA Architects, she is currently an Architectural Assistant at LAUD Architects.
ɫ Women in Technology and Design Conference
Women in Technology & Design: Attracting, Supporting, Retaining, Thriving!
The inaugural ɫ Technology and Design Conference, held on 15 January 2018, discussed issues on attracting, supporting, and retaining women in Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sectors.
The Conference focuses on four themes:
- Attractingwomen to join the technology and design sectors
- Supportinggirls and women in school as they prepare for careers in technology and design
- Retainingwomen in these industries through concrete policy and workplace interventions that can mitigate attrition
- Thriving!When women are well supported at every stage of their technology and design trajectory, their chances of having successful and rewarding careers is boosted, and these industries will also benefit from their continued participation