The share of female students enrolled in Nagoya University's School of Engineering has gradually increased, reaching 12% as of the 2023 academic year. This represents a significant change from the past. The proportion stagnated around 1% in the 1970s and only began to increase around the late 1980s. In recent years, Nagoya University has worked to increase female enrollment through branding campaigns, establishing spaces for women on campus, and implementing a quota system for admissions. The goal is to raise the share of female students in engineering to 20%.

Proportion of Female Students in the School of Engineering

The proportion of female students in Nagoya University's School of Engineering has been steadily increasing since the 1980s. The university has proactively promoted their enrollment.

With the advancement of gender equality in society, more women are studying engineering and the sciences. This trend has created terms like "rikejo" (science women) and "kōgaku joshi" (engineering women). Even among these traditionally male-dominated fields, engineering stands out for its proportion of male students. However, an increasing number of women are aspiring to succeed in this field, drawing attention and anticipation.

Conducting experiments using state-of-the-art optical measurement equipment (Department of Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Information Engineering).

Manufacturing, an industry that has long been considered the domain of men, is also experiencing a shift. As consumer markets grow increasingly diverse, companies are recognizing the need to incorporate both male and female perspectives into product development.

According to the School of Engineering, a growing number of companies are seeking out female engineers. Professor Seiichi Miyazaki, Dean of the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Engineering from 2021 to 2024, acknowledges this changing outlook: "Men tend to keep pursuing the functionality of a product. To better meet consumer needs, however, the diversity and ideas that women bring are invaluable."

In response to these social and industrial demands, the School of Engineering is working to increase the number of female faculty members and students. It has set two targets: (1) the share of female students should reach 20% as quickly as possible, and (2) the proportion of female faculty members should reach 16% by the 2027 academic year.

As part of this endeavor, the school has revamped its promotional materials, such as brochures, to promote a more diverse image. The objective is to dispel the prevailing perception of engineering as a world of factories filled only with men.

The cover of 2023's "female quota" recommendation-based entrance exam brochure.

Nagoya University is also dedicated to creating a more inclusive environment. It has established "refresh rooms" on campus. These designated spaces for female students and faculty are equipped with seating areas, desks, and monitors, and are designed to be accessible for those with children. Between September 2022 and March 2023, the rooms were used by over 200 women.

Since the 2022 academic year, Nagoya University has also introduced a female admission quota in two departments as part of its recommendation-based entrance examination system. In addition to document screenings and interviews, students must also demonstrate their academic abilities by taking the Common Test for University Admissions. The School of Engineering explains: "The goal is not to give women preferential treatment by making it easier for them to gain admission. It is rather to lower the barriers to application. They may be hesitant to apply if they think they will be standing alone among male students, so we want them to know that they will have other women to support them once they enroll."

Exploring 3D image measurement (Department of Energy Science and Engineering)

Honoka Imai, a former undergraduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was drawn to engineering by her high school dream of "designing toilets." She is passionate about improving sanitation infrastructure in regions lacking proper sewage systems. Imai also works with her peers to encourage more female students to pursue engineering, engaging in outreach activities such as admissions counseling for high school students and guest lectures.

Professor Jun Onoe, former Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering, highly values the contributions of female students, stating: "Female students are articulate and passionate about engineering. I hope they will not only succeed in industry but also serve as role models for future generations, inspiring more women to pursue careers in engineering."

The International Communications Office, Nagoya University, wishes to thank the Public Relations Office, Nagoya University, for the use of this article. It was originally written by Tatsuyuki Fukui in Japanese for the "Public Relations Meidai" web magazine. It has been translated and edited for clarity and readability by the International Communications Office while preserving the original content's intent. Photos provided by the Nagoya University School of Engineering. This article was originally published on September 4, 2023, and some information may not be up to date. For the original in Japanese, please see here.