Delivering top-notch end-to-end engineering projects is just one of the many things UGL does. We are also proud champions of equality, fostering innovation through diverse ideas and perspectives.
As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, we are shining a spotlight on some of the brilliant women at UGL, including graduate engineer, Pramudi Manumanedra Acharige.
“Growing up, I had biases that certain jobs were only for certain genders. I thought nursing was for women and being a doctor was for men,” said Pramudi. “Days like International Women in Engineering Day are important because they show younger generations that women can excel in engineering and make meaningful contributions. It’s about visibility and encouragement.”
This year’s theme, ‘Engineering Intelligence’, strongly resonates with her. Reflecting on the historical contributions of women in engineering, Pramudi highlights how their innovations have shaped industries, and driven progress through diverse thinking.
“Engineering intelligence is recognising how deeply women’s ideas and inventions have shaped the world and showing young girls that they, too, can make a significant impact through engineering," said Pramudi.
Pramudi credits her father, also an engineer, as an early influence who nurtured her love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). “My father has always been a role model to me and encouraged me to follow my passions,” she said. “Male allies play an important role in encouraging women to pursue STEM careers.”
Her interest deepened through involvement in school and STEM programs, with a pivotal moment being a ‘Girls in STEM’ event at the University of New South Wales, inspiring her to pursue electrical engineering, a field she now thrives in at UGL.
Since joining UGL, she’s achieved milestones, including her undergraduate thesis research being accepted for publication at an international conference. She also values UGL’s strong support for graduate engineers. “They invest in us, sending us to different states and projects, with access to exceptional people to grow and learn from.”
She speaks highly of UGL's open and supportive culture, where asking questions, no matter how small, is actively encouraged. “My manager told me, ‘There’s no such thing as a silly question.’ That mindset has empowered me to seek clarity and build confidence in my work.”
Looking ahead, Pramudi believes equality in engineering must go beyond representation to address challenges like career transitions after extended leave. She sees empathy, flexibility, and greater leadership opportunities for women as key drivers of meaningful change.
International Women in Engineering Day is a reminder of the vital contributions women make in the industry, and UGL will continue to celebrate, empower, and support women engineers in their journey towards building a more equitable future.