ASCENDIA - FROM UNDERGRADUATE TO AN INSPIRING LEADER

Description

The IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Student Branch Affinity Group of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) successfully organized ASCENDIA 2026 on 5 July 2026 in celebration of IEEE Women in Engineering Day 2026 . Conducted virtually via Google Meet, the event brought together undergraduate students, school students with an interest in STEM, young professionals, IEEE members, and volunteers under the theme, "From Classroom to Leadership: Navigating Success in Academia and Industry." The panel discussion was designed to inspire and empower participants by showcasing diverse career pathways while providing practical insights into leadership, career development, and lifelong learning. The event featured a distinguished panel representing both academia and industry. The panelists included Ms. Sanali Kaushalya , Country Director for Sri Lanka – Women in Tech Global and Founder of Dorax Connect (Pvt) Ltd.; Prof. Supunmali Ahangama , Professor, Senior Data Scientist, and Treasurer of the IEEE Women in Engineering Affinity Group of Sri Lanka; Ms. Gayashani Divyanjalee , Associate QA Engineer at XYICON LK (Pvt) Ltd.; and Ms. Vismini Amarasinha , Associate Business Analyst at Syntax Genie (Pvt) Ltd. The discussion was skillfully moderated, enabling an engaging exchange of ideas as the panelists shared their professional journeys, leadership experiences, and perspectives on successfully transitioning from academia to industry. Emphasis was placed on adaptability, continuous learning, professional networking, and the development of leadership competencies required to thrive in today's rapidly evolving STEM landscape. A key highlight of the event was the interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants actively engaged with the panelists on topics including career planning, industry expectations, postgraduate opportunities, student leadership, work-life balance, and the role of IEEE in fostering professional growth. The panelists emphasized the value of active participation in student organizations, volunteering, technical communities, and extracurricular initiatives as avenues for developing essential soft skills, expanding professional networks, and enhancing career readiness. Their practical advice and personal experiences provided participants with valuable guidance for navigating academic and professional challenges while building confidence to pursue leadership opportunities. ASCENDIA 2026 successfully fulfilled its objective of celebrating IEEE Women in Engineering Day by promoting leadership, diversity, mentorship, and professional excellence within the STEM community. The event concluded with the presentation of virtual tokens of appreciation to the panelists and moderator, followed by closing remarks and a virtual group photograph. Through insightful discussions, meaningful participant engagement, and the exchange of real-world experiences, ASCENDIA 2026 served as an impactful platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking, and inspiration. The event reinforced IEEE WIE's commitment to empowering the next generation of STEM leaders and encouraging greater participation in leadership and professional development initiatives within the global IEEE community