Chiang Mai University (CMU) has demonstrated sustained commitment to gender equality and women empowerment through its groundbreaking “Women in Engineering” quota program. This initiative directly addresses gender discrimination in STEM fields while promoting equal opportunities for female students in traditionally male-dominated disciplines, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Breaking Gender Barriers in Engineering Education
The Women in Engineering initiative represents CMU’s strategic response to persistent gender inequality in engineering education. Currently, female students comprise only 30% of the Faculty of Engineering—the lowest proportion among all CMU faculties. This underrepresentation reflects deeply rooted gender stereotypes and societal attitudes that position STEM fields as more suitable for men, creating barriers to women’s participation and limiting their access to high-value engineering careers.
Recognizing that genuine gender equality requires concrete action beyond rhetoric, CMU established dedicated admission quotas specifically for female applicants through the TCAS (Thai University Central Admission System) Round 1 Portfolio process. This affirmative action approach actively promotes women’s rights to education and challenges the glass ceiling that has historically limited women in STEM fields.
Expanding Opportunities and Access
The program’s evolution demonstrates CMU’s escalating commitment to women empowerment. In Academic Year 2023 (2566 BE), the Women in Engineering quota was initially available in two programs: Industrial Engineering and Computer Engineering. Responding to strong demand and recognizing the need for broader women’s participation, the Faculty expanded this initiative substantially in Academic Year 2024 (2567 BE).
The expansion encompassed five additional programs through TCAS Round 1, creating new pathways for female students in:
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- Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Project Management (International Program) – with 3 quota seats
- Information Systems and Networks Engineering (International Program) – offering 4 quota seats
- Civil Engineering (International Program) – allocating 3 quota seats
- Industrial Engineering & Logistics Management (International Program) – providing 3 quota seats
This systematic expansion reflects genuine gender mainstreaming across multiple engineering disciplines, ensuring women can access diverse career pathways traditionally dominated by men.
Continuing Commitment in Academic Year 2025
CMU’s dedication to reducing gender inequality continues into Academic Year 2025 (2568 BE) through TCAS Round 2 Quota admissions. The Women in Engineering quota remains available across multiple programs, demonstrating sustained institutional commitment rather than temporary tokenism:
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- Industrial Engineering: 10 seats dedicated to promoting female participation
- Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Project Management (International): 3 seats supporting women in leadership roles
- Information Systems and Networks Engineering (International): 4 seats addressing gender pay gap in technology sector
- Civil Engineering (International): 3 seats breaking stereotypes in construction engineering
- Industrial Engineering & Logistics Management (International): 3 seats enhancing women’s economic participation
- Electrical Engineering and Smart Grid Network Technology (International): 3 seats promoting women in STEM
Impact on Gender Parity and Social Change
This initiative generates multiple positive outcomes for gender equality. By providing dedicated access measures, CMU actively reduces barriers facing female students who aspire to engineering careers. The program challenges patriarchal assumptions about women’s technical capabilities while creating role models for future generations of female engineers.
The Women in Engineering quota directly supports several UN SDG 5 targets: eliminating discrimination (5.1), ensuring women’s full participation in STEM fields (5.5), and promoting equal opportunities for leadership (5.5). Beyond individual student benefits, this program contributes to broader social transformation by increasing women’s representation in high-paying engineering professions, thereby addressing the gender pay gap and economic inequality.
Conclusion
CMU’s Women in Engineering initiative exemplifies institutional leadership in advancing gender equality through education. By systematically expanding opportunities for female students across engineering disciplines from 2023 through 2025, the university demonstrates that achieving gender parity requires sustained commitment, concrete policies, and measurable action. This program not only empowers individual women but contributes to dismantling structural barriers that perpetuate gender inequality in STEM education and careers, creating lasting impact toward a more equitable society.
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