UVic WEST: creating space, sparking confidence, and building the future of women in engineering

It Started with a Spark

In early 2022 a handful of passionate UVic staff and students saw a need to help young, female-identifying students interested in engineering and computer science feel as though they could join the program knowing that they would find friendship and community.

That summer, they launched the first WEST program with support from Dyspatch and FortisBC. Originally designed as a recruitment initiative for high school students, WEST quickly grew into a hub of mentorship, design, and empowerment for women in UVic’s Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science.

Soon, the Faculty stepped back and handed the reins completely to the students, and Emily Murray, Erica Attard, Isabelle Friesen, Rachael Grant, and Aislinn Dressler didn’t just keep the idea alive; they transformed it. For Emily, who came to engineering after a degree in environmental science, WEST offered something more than direction. “You feel like you belong somewhere,” she says, “and I wanted to pay that forward.”

Real Projects, Real Impact

Unlike theoretical and academic work that can make up the bulk of coursework in undergrad engineering and computer science, WEST projects don’t stay on paper. Students roll up their sleeves to bring their ideas to life, often starting in their first year.

In a recent collaboration with Introba, WEST students built miniature passive houses from scratch and tested them for heat loss on a downtown Victoria rooftop in the middle of December. The project was designed to spark interest in passive housing among female engineering students, and not only did participants gain hands-on experience, but Introba also created a co-op position specifically intended for a WEST student.

For many participants, it was their first time using hand tools, working with 3D software, or taking the lead on project management. Their designs were wildly different, and wildly creative. Some explored unconventional concepts, like using compost to generate heat by dedicating half the house to organic waste. Whether or not the ideas were practical wasn’t the point, however; the project prioritized learning by doing, in a pressure-free environment where no one was afraid to ask questions and where bold thinking was encouraged.

 This spring, WEST partnered again with FortisBC on an ambitious interdisciplinary project. Teams from computer science, mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering worked together to solve one complex challenge. The outcome was a design experience that looked and felt a lot like real-world engineering: collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and deeply rewarding.

Why WEST Matters

For women in engineering, the barriers often start early and run deep. Lack of representation, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to prove you belong in every classroom, lab, or meeting can make a challenging program feel almost impossible at times.

“During my first year, I had one female professor — and she wasn’t even in engineering,” recalls a WEST student. “It’s hard to imagine yourself in this field when you never see anyone who looks like you.”

That’s why WEST intentionally builds spaces where women lead as project coordinators, mentors, guest lecturers, and more. It’s about more than visibility. It’s about seeing yourself reflected in labs, in lecture, and in leadership.

“Being in a lab where everyone’s a woman? It’s rare, and it’s so empowering. We know it might not happen again in our careers, but at WEST, it happens every week.”

Mentorship That Makes a Difference

Every WEST project team has a dedicated mentor who students can turn to for advice, encouragement, and real talk. Many are fellow students or alumni who’ve walked the same path.

These relationships help counter the challenges that many women in engineering face, from self-doubt to the fear of speaking up. As one member puts it, “Having a mentor who gets it, who’s been there, makes a huge difference.”

From Participant to Powerhouse

Cathy Yeung joined WEST’s very first student project with Schneider Electric while still in high school. She didn’t want to wait until university to get involved so she applied to join the executive team before starting her first year.

Since then, Cathy has helped recruit high school students, become the first-year rep for ECSS, and is now leading her own WEST project as a coordinator. Her story is a blueprint for what WEST can do: spark confidence, create leaders, and connect students to their future.

And she’s not alone. Most of WEST’s current exec team started out as project participants. For many, it’s the first place they found real female friendship in an often-competitive field.

“If I hadn’t joined WEST, I don’t think I’d have any female friends in engineering,” one member says. “Now I have a community.”

What’s Next for WEST?

The future is hands-on, and WEST is just getting started. This fall, they’re launching their most ambitious project yet: a two-semester partnership with Fraser Health to design and build a Mock MRI for children. The intention is to support exposure therapy for young patients who often require sedation during MRI procedures. By giving kids a chance to interact with the machine in a safe, low-pressure environment, the project aims to reduce fear and improve outcomes. It will be WEST’s first initiative to span both design and construction phases and the first to result in a product that will be used directly in the community.

But space remains a challenge. While other engineering groups and teams often have small offices or lab space, WEST still doesn’t have a dedicated physical home. The community is strong, but they’re dreaming bigger, and looking for partners to help get them there.

Calling All Future Engineers (and Supporters)

For high school students curious about engineering and computer science, WEST has this advice: start now. Look for outreach programs, especially those run by universities. Find your people, above all the ones who’ll support you when things get challenging.

And for companies and professionals looking to support the next generation of women in STEM, WEST is always looking for partners who are ready to invest, not just financially, but with mentorship, project or co-op opportunities, and belief in what women can do.

Want to Support WEST?

Visit uvicwest.com to learn more, become a project partner, or help create space (literally and figuratively) for the next generation of engineers.