Sixteen graduates and undergraduates from the School of Computer Science accompanied Dr. Shafaq Khan to attend 2024 Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing Conference (CAN-CWIC), in Toronto.

Students got the opportunity to be inspired by keynote speeches, learn from lightning talks, participate in the career fair and engage with leaders and peers in the computing field. One of the participating students,  Esther Umoh, wrote a blog post about her experience where says attending the CAN CWIC was a memorable and inspiring experience.

“The conference featured insightful keynotes from visionary speakers, lightning talks, ample networking opportunities, and a vibrant career fair with professionals from leading companies like CGI, RBC, TD, CN, AWS, Electronic Arts, D2L, Canada Life, and many others,” says Umoh.

“CAN CWIC provided an incredible platform for connecting with those driving inclusion and innovation in technology. Traveling with peers from the University of Windsor and Sinclair College made the experience even more impactful, deepening our shared passion for tech.”

Key highlights included keynote speeches from leaders like Natalie Ripp, Senior Director of RBC Digital Cheque Processing, who embodied resilience and confidence, and Christina Fung, Senior Vice President of Consulting Services at CGI, whose perspectives on "AI for Good" shed new light on technology’s role in society.

“Workshops on career development and AI applications, along with sessions addressing real-world tech challenges, provided me with actionable knowledge to further my aspirations,” she says.  

The career fair offered an incredible opportunity to explore job opportunities and learn about the innovative work these organizations are doing to advance technology and support diversity and inclusion within their teams.

“This conference was a powerful reminder of the strong, supportive community working to overcome challenges in tech. The knowledge, connections, and inspiring stories I gained have left a lasting impression.”