Sawsan Sleiman, a full-time faculty member at the Faculty of Engineering at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), was chosen among 6,000 applicants across the Middle East and North Africa to participate in the prestigious TechWomen program. This five-week initiative, held in San Francisco, California, fosters the development of emerging women leaders in STEM fields.
TechWomen is a highly competitive program that selects emerging women leaders in STEM fields from the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and South Asia. The initiative provides participants with valuable professional connections and resources to advance their careers and create positive change within their communities. After completing the program, Sleiman received an award from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in recognition of her achievements, academic background in civil and environmental engineering, growth in STEM, and dedication to community impact.
“As a member of the Faculty of Engineering at NDU, I was strongly encouraged to apply. I answered several in-depth questions about my experience, problem-solving skills, and the challenges I faced in my STEM journey to be selected,” says Sleiman. During the program, she worked with Juniper Networks, a company specializing in networking, cybersecurity, and AI-driven solutions. There, she engaged with experts and gained insights into cutting-edge technologies and innovative strategies. She also visited several institutions specializing in transportation and highway engineering, while connecting with engineers to explore the latest software and technologies used in road infrastructure and traffic management. It was equally an opportunity for Sleiman to meet with researchers from UC Berkeley, exchanging ideas on potential research collaborations in civil and environmental engineering.
Sleiman was particularly inspired by AI’s potential contributions to civil engineering, integrating this insight into her courses at NDU. Additionally, she plans to organize workshops where she can share her insights with studentsand, in the near future, host mentors from the U.S. As a TechWomen alumna, she now has the opportunity to apply for funding to support projects that benefit NDU and the local community.
Sleiman’s participation in TechWomen is just one example of how NDU empowers its staff and students to achieve international standards. As a working mother balancing her ambitions and personal life, Sleiman is an inspiration to the NDU community. Her ongoing personal initiatives will undoubtedly make a difference, especially for women and students.