Global STEM Leaders Gather at 91¿´Æ¬Íø for TechWomen 2026
- FHS Communications
On Monday, 16 February 2026, the 91¿´Æ¬Íø hosted TechWomen under the theme @WITS Connecting Global Leaders in Technology and Innovation.
TechWomen is a global initiative that empowers women leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by expanding their access to networks, resources, and professional growth opportunities. Each year, TechWomen hosts two international delegation trips to different partner countries, creating opportunities for cross‑cultural exchange and strengthening pathways for women’s advancement in STEM; in 2026, these visits are being hosted by South Africa and Kyrgyzstan. Within this framework, delegation trips play a pivotal role in deepening global collaboration by fostering mentorship, hands‑on learning, and knowledge sharing between U.S. delegates and international partners.
Through STEM outreach, design‑thinking workshops, entrepreneurship dialogues, and institutional partnerships, the delegation seeks to inspire young people, support educators, and advance women’s leadership in technology, innovation, and social impact. The visit to the 91¿´Æ¬Íø University serves as a strategic anchor of this mission: as a leading African research institution with strong ecosystems in digital innovation, engineering, health sciences, and creative technologies.
This year, 91¿´Æ¬Íø University staff and students joined more than sixty international delegates for an afternoon of focused dialogue and practical insights, ranging from the latest innovations to strategic positioning.
91¿´Æ¬Íø Deputy Vice‑Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Lynn Morris, opened the proceedings by highlighting how societies advance when barriers are removed and impactful partnerships are formed. As a globally recognised scientist and female leader in her own right, her message resonated strongly with attendees’ personal experiences.
This year’s event bridged disciplines to explore how AI and digital innovation can transform education, healthcare and the technology industry.
The programme at 91¿´Æ¬Íø was coordinated by TechWomen alumnae and 91¿´Æ¬Íø lecturers Amanda Jankowitz (Faculty of Health Sciences) and Dr Chioniso Kuchwa‑Dube (Faculty of Engineering), in close collaboration with Professor René Smith, Head of the School of Arts, and Dr Olu Randle.
Professor Smith illustrated how the sciences and the arts are intertwined to enhance the experience of the everyday technologies society now relies on. “Today's lesson? Artists and designers infuse magic into the production line. We make machines beautiful, and even in the most tech‑advanced nations, it is aesthetics and creativity that drive true innovation,” she said.
The programme featured three concurrent workshops on Design Thinking, Marketing and Industry Partnership Through Digital Storytelling, and Human‑First Health Tech.
The Design Thinking workshop guided participants in applying its principles to AI integration across education and industry. The discussions emphasised problem‑solving approaches that respond to societal needs.
Jill Finlayson, Managing Director of the CITRIS Innovation Hub at the University of California, highlighted that design thinking is most effective when grounded in local context and data. While it serves as a useful framework, she noted that its real strength lies in how individuals engage with it. “It is essential that we teach others to question, validate and iterate, because those are the things that will make these tools truly valuable,” she explained.
As an expert in innovative ecosystems, she added that older generations may benefit even more from AI, as their lived experiences equip them with perspectives that make the tools not only innovative but also genuinely meaningful.
Equally compelling was the session on Marketing and Industry Partnerships Through Digital Storytelling, which demonstrated how storytelling can drive collaboration and entrepreneurial growth. It plays a vital role in creating digital products, research breakthroughs and impactful social initiatives.
The Human‑First Health Tech workshop reinforced the social aspect of innovation, particularly in improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Speakers stressed that AI health innovations should support healthcare practitioners in enhancing care, not replace them. The Head of the School of Therapeutic Sciences, Professor Hellen Myezwa, noted: “Innovation grounded in empathy, courage and wisdom is transformative.”
To inspire a new generation of women in technology, the TechWomen delegation also engaged with learners, students, and emerging innovators across multiple locations in South Africa. Their outreach included school visits in Soweto, Johannesburg, and Durban, where delegates spoke with learners about future career possibilities in artificial intelligence, innovation, and the broader STEM ecosystem. The delegation also visited the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) to engage with entrepreneurs on navigating the AI frontier, and the Durban University of Technology (DUT) to connect with university students exploring career pathways, future skills, and the impact of emerging technologies.
These interactions not only exposed young people to global STEM leadership but also enriched the delegates’ own learning. As one participant reflected after the visit to Orlando, Soweto, “I feel empowered learning about different cultures and how different people think and what is important to them.”
Although the event at WITS celebrated women’s contributions to STEM, challenges remain. “We must raise our voices to bridge support gaps for women. It is our responsibility to empower young women in STEM to meet the demands of their field. And I will carry this inspiration back to my culture to motivate others in my community,” said Riffat Jaffer, TechWomen mentor and leader in STEM talent acquisition.
In her closing remarks, Professor Hellen Myezwa urged that the principles discussed at the event become a movement. “Let us ensure that women are not only present but powerful in shaping systems,” she concluded.