STEM: female civil engineer breaking barriers

A 29-year-old civil engineer, Essama Urielle, carried out site supervision duties on two construction projects in the Centre Region. This includes the construction of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) building near the Institute for Training and Demographic Research (IFORD), located in Ngoa-Ekele, Yaounde I, but placed under the academic and institutional supervision of the University of Yaounde II. The building was officially inaugurated on May 13, 2026.

At GPE, engineer Essama was responsible for supervising daily construction activities, monitoring the execution of structural works, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications, and coordinating technical teams and contractors throughout the implementation phase of the project. The assignment formed part of university infrastructure development linked to higher education facilities.

She also worked on the construction site located in Soa, in the Mefou-et-Afamba Division of the Centre Region, where she carried out supervision duties on building works in coordination with technical staff involved in the project.

The GPE construction site was visited during an official inspection tour following a speech delivered by the Rector of the University of Yaounde II, Professor Richard Laurent Omgba, after which stakeholders conducted an on-site evaluation of the progress of works and reviewed technical aspects of the project.

Both assignments fall within the practical application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines, particularly civil engineering, where site supervision involves the direct application of technical knowledge in real construction environments. The projects illustrate how STEM-trained professionals contribute to infrastructure development through technical monitoring, planning, and execution control.

In both cases, Essama Urielle worked alongside engineers, contractors, and administrative authorities to ensure that construction activities followed approved technical and structural requirements.

The GPE building was officially inaugurated on May 13, 2026, marking the completion of one of the supervised projects, while the Soa project remains part of ongoing infrastructure development in the region.

The increasing presence of young professionals in technical fields also reflects the broader national push toward the promotion of STEM education in Cameroon, as universities and training institutions continue to encourage students, particularly women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This shift is gradually strengthening the visibility of STEM disciplines in infrastructure development, innovation, and national capacity building, where practical engineering work is becoming an essential component of academic and professional growth.