Women in HPC sponsors student attendance at Society of Women Engineers conference
Purdue’s Women in High-Performance Computing (WHPC) group sponsored a student to attend the 2024 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) annual conference, WE24, which took place in Chicago in October.
The Society of Women Engineers has been an advocate for women in engineering since 1950 and has more than 40,000 members. WE24, themed “Together We Rise” is SWE’s flagship annual conference and is the largest gathering for women in engineering and technology. The conference offers opportunities to engage in networking, gain career insights and connect with industry leaders on innovation through workshops on leadership and engineering subjects.
“WE24 was truly an unforgettable experience,” says Jesal Movani, a master’s degree student in engineering management, who’s conference attendance was sponsored by Purdue WHPC.
“Every session, every conversation felt like it was expanding my world, offering me new perspectives and fresh ideas. Meeting other women who are not only succeeding in tech but also redefining the field was inspiring beyond words. It reinforced just how powerful our collective drive and passion are, and I left with a renewed commitment to what’s possible in my own career.”
Purdue WHPC is part of a broader engagement initiative by the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC), and is led by women staffers affiliated with RCAC. WHPC is a diverse community encompassing undergraduate, graduate, staff and faculty men and women who are interested in exposing women to high-performance computing and encouraging their pursuit of research and careers in HPC and other technology fields.
Within the WHPC initiative, RCAC extends partial travel assistance to undergraduate and graduate students, empowering their participation in various national conferences aligning with WHPC’s objectives. Applicants are assessed on their demonstrated experience with advanced computation and must explain what they hope to gain from participating in the conference. To be eligible, an applicant must identify as a woman and be an undergrad or grad student maintaining good academic standing.
For full eligibility requirements, and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the WHPC Scholarship page.
“Without Purdue WHPC’s support, this incredible experience might not have been possible. The backing from WHPC didn’t just make attending the conference accessible – it made me feel seen and supported,” says Movani, who will present about her conference experience at the WHPC meeting on Friday, November 15 at 10 a.m.
“The WHPC scholarship goes beyond financial assistance. It’s a gateway to experiences that can define your career. It connects students with invaluable opportunities, powerful networks, and support that can fuel their professional growth. For anyone aspiring to make a mark in tech, this program is a tremendous resource.”
In addition to the scholarship program, Purdue WHPC organizes a range of activities including regular meetings to discuss technical HPC-related issues of interest, opportunities to network with the WHPC community, a mentorship program, workshops, and exposure to external resources and opportunities.
To learn more about Purdue Women in HPC or be added to the mailing list, contact whpc@purdue.edu.