Today, on International Women in Engineering Day, we are thrilled to highlight the incredible journey and accomplishments of Anika, a remarkable woman who is breaking barriers and paving the way for success in the field of engineering. Anika, a systems safety engineer at Arup and an alumna of two Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) Institutions (Solihull College & University Centre and University of Birmingham), is an inspiration to young women everywhere who aspire to make their mark in this dynamic industry.
Born in Bangladesh and arriving in the UK at the age of nine, Anika’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Growing up and attending school in Coventry, she discovered her passion for engineering early on. Anika embarked on her educational journey by pursuing a 2-year HND in electrical and electronic engineering at Solihull College & University Centre, GBSIoT’s lead partner. Following this and due to the fact she was unable to get a loan for University because of the current UK law, she began working as a technician and teaching HNC foundation mathematics at Solihull College & University Centre.
Anika’s path took a significant turn when a change in the law enabled her to access a student loan. She seized the opportunity and applied to the University of Birmingham, where she pursued a BEng(hons) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering. Her dedication and hard work paid off, as she was offered a position at Arup during her third year of study—a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about her skills and passion.
Anika’s unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of engineers is truly commendable. She recently played a vital role in the creation of a series of 12 videos produced by GBSIoT for our new virtual platform and pathway builder. Through these videos, Anika shared her personal journey in the hope to inspire the next generation of engineers.
“Being featured in the video held tremendous significance to me, as it presented a crucial opportunity to share my personal journey and ignite inspiration in others. My unwavering goal was to motivate individuals and underscore the paramount importance of diversity within the field of engineering, with a specific focus on encouraging more female students to embrace this fulfilling career path.”
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Anika for her invaluable support and for being a beacon of inspiration to future generations. By sharing her story and experiences, she is making a profound impact on the lives of young women who aspire to excel in engineering. Anika’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry is creating a more equitable and vibrant engineering community.
Today, as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we wanted to thank Anika, her commitment to supporting the new GBSIoT platform and inspiring future generations is truly commendable. Through her journey, she reminds us that with passion, determination, and support, anything is possible.
Join us in celebrating Anika’s accomplishments and share her story far and wide, inspiring young women to embrace engineering as their future pathway. Together, let’s shape a brighter future for all aspiring engineers.
