TechWomen @ Wits to ignite meaningful collaboration
- Wits University
Wits to host U.S TechWomen alumnae and delegation in STEM showcase.
The South African Techwomen alumni will host an event on 16 February 2026 at Wits University that features TechWomen alumnae and a visiting delegation.
This gathering will strengthen international collaboration in technology, innovation, and women's leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
TechWomen is a flagship initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
The programme empowers emerging women leaders in STEM from countries across Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East through mentorship, professional exchange, and networking opportunities.
Participants build connections with U.S. counterparts, access resources to advance their careers, and inspire the next generation of women and girls in their communities.
The event at Wits University builds on the programme’s legacy by convening TechWomen Fellows (alumnae) showcasing Wits’ vibrant community of programme participants, and fostering continued mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and partnerships. It underscores Wits’ longstanding commitment to cultivating women leaders in STEM and promoting inclusive, forward-looking innovation.
The TechWomen @ Wits event will feature:
- Interactive discussions on key topics including technology, innovation, STEM education, and leadership development.
- Opportunities for engagement between visiting TechWomen alumnae/delegates and local experts from academia and industry.
- Networking sessions with Wits University faculty, students, researchers, and innovation partners.
Wits-affiliated TechWomen Fellows include Mrs Amanda Jankowitz (2026 Wits TechWomen convener and 2020 TechWomen Fellow), Dr Chioniso Kuchwa-Dube (2013 TechWomen Fellow), and Ms Thulile Khanyile (2022 TechWomen Fellow), amongst nine others.
Jankowitz says, “As a Witsie and a TechWomen Fellow, I am excited to see these two communities come together. I am looking forward to welcoming the TechWomen delegation to Wits in February, where our shared commitment to integrity, curiosity, and social impact can ignite meaningful collaboration. My sincere thanks to the Wits community for making this possible, to Digital Arts in the Wits School of Arts for hosting us, and to the School of Therapeutic Sciences for their unwavering support."
The TechWomen @ Wits event celebrates this growing alumna pathway and creates space to engage with a global network in which Wits women are already making an international impact.
This event reaffirms Wits University’s role as a leading hub for cutting-edge research and global academic partnerships.
All Wits academics and postgraduates are welcome to attend the event on Monday, 16 February, 14:00-17:00 in Digital Arts, Braamfontein Campus East, Wits University, but registration is essential as seats are extremely limited.