10Pearls 8th Women Tech Quest: Advancing Diversity in the Tech World
At 10Pearls, we are dedicated to promoting gender inclusivity and catalyzing positive societal change. In line with this commitment, 10Pearls University organized Women Tech Quest, a powerful platform for women in technology to showcase their tech skills, forge connections, and enrich their knowledge. The 8th edition of Women Tech Quest (WTQ) took place on March 2, 2024, in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, drawing the participation of over 1,200 women in technology from across all three cities.
WTQ, launched in 2017, is a competition dedicated to helping women evaluate and highlight their technical prowess, garner recognition, and compete for cash prizes and unparalleled exposure. Featured in inspirational speaker sessions and workshops, leading women in the industry share their experiences and insights to aid the development and success of aspiring women in tech.
After a longstanding and successful run in Pakistan, the competition was recently launched in Costa Rica, Latin America, marking a significant milestone in its global outreach. This expansion aligns with our overarching commitment to fostering innovation and diversity while providing women opportunities to thrive in the tech sphere.
Syeda Sana HussainHead of People & Programs – EMEA, 10Pearls
“This was our 8th consecutive year of successfully conducting Women Tech Quest. As one of our flagship initiatives for women's empowerment, WTQ has kickstarted and accelerated the careers of 6,000+ women, strengthened Pakistan’s talent pool, and provided women with a platform to gain visibility.
Competition Tracks and Winners
WTQ featured competitions spanning three tracks: Coding, Testing, and Design – each offering both Professional and Student categories tailored to diverse skill levels. These tracks were crafted to challenge participants’ problem-solving acumen and technical abilities. Following the event, 11 winners were announced and awarded cash prizes and badges, whereas all participants received exciting swag kits and certificates of participation.
List of Winners
Coding
Maryam Nasir
Zoha Shafqat Malik
Muteeba Ahmed
Testing
Armeen Ejaz
Kainat Fatima
Farzeen Qureshi
Faiza Chauhan
Design
Daniya Abid
Zahabiya Moiz
Maheen Rashid
Easha Tir Razia
EMPOWERING WOMEN, EMPOWERING TECH: WTQ TESTIMONIALS AND SUCCESS STORIES
WTQ is pivotal in empowering women within Pakistan’s tech industry, offering networking opportunities and career guidance from influential figures. It offers crucial support to university graduates trying to kickstart their careers, facilitates re-entry for women on breaks, and aids mothers returning to work, enhancing gender diversity and inclusion in tech. Participating in this event can garner awareness and recognition from top companies, offering attendees vital exposure and career advancement opportunities.
Winning at WTQ has bolstered my confidence and fueled my ambitions. As a first-time attendee, I'm thrilled to enhance my skills, network with industry leaders, and witness many inspiring tech women. This marks a pivotal moment in my career.”
A standout example of Women Tech Quest’s impact is Bushra Hassan. A recent graduate navigating the job market, Bushra found her breakthrough with WTQ in 2022. Today, she thrives as a Senior UI/UX professional at 10Pearls. Bushra’s success is a living testament to WTQ’s transformative power as she continues to champion the platform that propelled her career forward.
Bushra HassanSenior UI/UX Designer, 10Pearls
“Women Tech Quest was a game-changer in my career journey. It taught me to step out of my comfort zone and equipped me with the skills and confidence to excel in my career. I am proud to join the company behind this incredible initiative and contribute to empowering other women with invaluable opportunities.
INSPIRING TALKS BY INDUSTRY TRAILBLAZERS
Alongside the exhilarating competitions, WTQ offered attendees a unique chance to engage with industry leaders who are paving the path forward. Through insightful speaker sessions, participants gained crucial guidance, wisdom, and motivation from accomplished women at the forefront of the tech industry.
This year’s speakers included esteemed women such as Honey Cantrell (EVP, Agency Operations, 10Pearls Studio); Jehan Ara (Founder & CEO, Katalyst Labs); Tara Uzra Dawood, (President, LADIESFUND); Sadia Bashir (Founder, PixelArt Games Academy); Monica Peter( Group Director, Learning and Culture, PTCL Group); Meher Nigar Khawaja, (SVP & Program Delivery, Techlogix); Tania Aidrus, (Co-Founder & CEO, DGlobal); and Maha Shahzad, (Founder & CEO, Buscaro).
In her opening keynote highlighting the power of putting people first in a tech-focused world, Honey shared, “Connections are vital to our collective success. They provide us with mentorship, collaboration, and idea exchange. Get connected; find people who share your passions and invest in those relationships.” She further talked about the importance of inclusivity in the tech domain, “We need smart women at the frontlines, giving their opinions, insights, and helping to develop the tools that will shape the rest of our lives. Every incremental change we make moves us closer to a more inclusive digital world.”
Jehan Ara shared her thoughts on the importance of community events like WTQ and her advice for women entering the tech field, “Follow your passion relentlessly and never let anyone tell you it can’t be done. Events like WTQ are vital as they fuel motivation, ignite inspiration, and empower women in tech to hone their skills and expand their networks.”
ENDORSED BY LEADING COMPANIES
WTQ 2024 was endorsed by top names in technology and other industries as the event of the year for tech women. This time, our event partners included reputed names such as NASTP, AshreiTech, P@SHA, GDG Kolachi, Microsoft Learn SA Karachi, WomeninTechPK, MLSA Islamabad, Bytewise Ltd., AWS User Group Karachi, Testworthy, MLSA NUML, Vector, GDSC NUST, ACM UET Lahore, GDSC UET Lahore, Ultimate Tech Crew, GDSC UET NC, Figma Community Lahore, and Cohort Max.
Additionally, our giveaways were sponsored by Bogo, Mary Toyland, and Bonanza Satrangi.
MEDIA COVERAGE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
WTQ 2023 garnered widespread acclaim from top media outlets in Pakistan, receiving extensive coverage in renowned publications and TV Channels. These included Dawn, Express Tribune, Business Recorder, The News, Aaj News, News One, City 21 News, GTV, and more.
LOOKING AHEAD
Through our unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing opportunities for women to thrive, WTQ stands as a beacon of empowerment, driving the change necessary to shape a more equitable future in the tech industry.
Building upon our recent expansion into Latin America, we are dedicated to further scaling this event globally, empowering women across borders, and providing them a dedicated platform to unite, grow, and prosper.
