Women in STEM : Meet the Ladies Behind NDR Medical Technology

SINGAPORE - 'STEM has become an indispensable part of our lives, providing greater convenience, transforming industries, and creating new possibilities, and it is inspiring to see more and more women enter these fields,' stated Minister of State for Social and Family Development, Sun Xueling after the recent NUS International Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) Symposium, as part of their celebration of International Women’s Day.

NDR Medical Technology, a startup in the local scene for the past 8 years, is an inspiring attestation to this. By integrating AI and robotics, the company pioneered image-guided procedures that assist doctors in safe and effective surgeries. 30% of their workforce consist of females who have been in the field ranging from 1 to 3 years of experience.

Their motivations for joining the industry stemmed from one of curiosity, discovery and opportunities for growth. Jill Ann Chia , an AI Engineer with the team for 1 year, cites that NDR has 'provided her a great platform to think critically and solve problems in the medical field.' Others attributed it to their keenness to contribute to the healthcare landscape, and that 'there are always learning opportunities' - shares Kiew Xue Ning who is new to the growing industry.

When sharing about their experiences, it was unanimous that these ladies derive satisfaction from their jobs. While they face typical challenges such as limited resources and budget constraints from companies for adoption of high-end technology, they note that 'It's interesting to deal with scientific data, either in numeric or image form' and that they enjoy the whole process in extracting and gaining insights from raw data. It is very challenging and full of mysteries.'

'We must empower more women to pursue their interests and be a part of high-growth areas like tech. However, responsibilities should not just be on women alone. We need a whole-of-society effort to shift mindsets and break gender stereotypes, so women can achieve their aspirations freely and fully,' shared Ms Sun on her Facebook post.

These are the ladies that are indeed an inspiration - They echo the same words to others who are looking to join this robust sector - 'Your interest and curiousity will support you in never giving up.' encourages Nyam Chiaw Qing , AI Engineer at NDR Medical for the past 2 years. 'Take curiosity as a motivation. Never look down on yourself and be prepared!'

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