Empowering Women in Engineering: Advancing Gender Equity, Innovation, Leadership, Ethical Practices, and Cultural Inclusivity in STEM-Edu X.0

Empowering women in engineering is critical for fostering innovation, driving technological advancements, and ensuring gender equity in STEM education. This study applies the X.0 Wave Theory to explore how digital transformation in engineering education can enhance women's access, retention, and leadership in STEM fields. Key themes include integrating women into engineering curricula, fostering a sense of belonging through inclusive educational practices, and addressing the intersection of gender and STEM identity across diverse cultural contexts. The research highlights pedagogical approaches that support underrepresented groups, including women, neurodiverse individuals, and those with caregiving responsibilities. Ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies, such as AI and machine learning, are examined, emphasizing how inclusive learning environments can mitigate gender bias and empower women in leadership roles. A twofactor questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) was employed to analyze deep and surface learning approaches among 900 students from humanities and engineering disciplines, focusing on leadership experiences, cultural influences, and gender dynamics. Findings reveal how sex and gender and cultural factors shape leadership development, mobility, and responses to failure, particularly in cross-cultural settings. This research provides actionable insights for academic institutions, policymakers, and industry leaders, advocating for policies that improve retention, mental well-being, and career advancement for women in engineering. The study underscores the role of women's leadership in driving sustainable innovation, highlighting the need to dismantle traditional gender biases and foster environments where women play a central role in shaping the future of engineering.