Bradford College launches Women in STEM campaign at guest chef dinner

Last night, women from across Bradford came together at the Grove Training Restaurant at Bradford College to celebrate the incredible achievements of women and girls in STEM careers. 

Guests were treated to a 3-course dinner, prepared by Brazilian-born Caroline Martins who spent over a decade working as a plasma physicist before pursuing the lifelong dream of becoming a professional chef, resulting in working in some of the finest Michelin Star restaurants in the world. 

Students from Level 2 Catering and Hospitality worked with Caroline throughout the day to prepare the dinner. 

Zainab Himdan, Head of School for Computing and Ophthalmics at Bradford College welcomed guests and shared her story from engineering into the world of IT and Science, about her journey into her current role and her role to inspire and pave the way for the next generation. She told the audience:  

The more I was told I couldn’t do something or wasn’t taken seriously, it propelled me even more to pursue my career and expand my knowledge. Females have a place in all these sectors and can make a significant contribution.

The dinner marked the start of a six-week campaign to raise the profile of women in STEM careers and subjects. There are over 100 STEM-related courses currently on offer at Bradford College and over 1600 females studying STEM subjects. 

Dr Sarah Cooper, Director of People Services at Bradford College, closed the dinner and thanked guests and the catering teams, and shared her career story which started when she was sponsored by Rolls Royce PLC for her undergraduate degree.

Sarah undertook research at the University of Florida before going on to complete her engineering degree and working for Rolls Royce helping design the Trent 800 engine. She then moved to work at British Aerospace and completed her a Doctor of Engineering where she was involved in the Airbus composite wing programme.  

Let us remember that our work does not end here. We have made tremendous strides, yes, but there is still much more to be done.

The event is the first in a series, including a STEM taster experience day on Wednesday 6^th March which has now attracted over 180 young women from across the district, and then a documentary screening and discussion panel which is being held on Saturday 9^th March at Bradford College. 

Visit the Women in STEM page for more details about the campaign.