NTU students given opportunity to attend Women In Construction networking event
Building on our partnership and a joint commitment to supporting women in the built environment, NTU and Nottingham Women in Construction teamed up to offer three students from the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment the opportunity to attend NWIC's networking luncheon for female professionals at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 4 November 2025
Female students studying Architecture, Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying were nominated to attend the event where they had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of local industry professionals, helping them build their professional networks.
One of the students who attended was Ramita Eswarappa, who said:
"I had been looking forward to the event since I was invited, thanks to a generous offer from Nottingham Women in Construction to sponsor some places for NTU students. I was nervous about interacting with such experienced individuals, but it all went away as soon as I introduced myself. The event was fabulous as I got to meet such capable women from different sectors of Architecture, Design and Built Environment. Since I study Architecture, this seemed like an essential opportunity to meet female Architects and receive advice as well as an understanding of their experiences.
"The event started with some mingling and drinks, where I met realtors, site surveyors, part-time students, architects, design studio tutors and many more. It was wonderful to see them talk with such passion for their work. We were then moved to the table to seat ourselves for the presentation from the guest speaker, Martine Hamilton Knight. She introduced us to architectural photography and its influence in the industry. I was able to learn some insider tips that would help me improve my photography skills."
Ramita said it was the first event of this type she had attended.
Ramita continued: "Lastly, we had lunch while further acquainting ourselves with the delightful ladies on our table. I was able to share my plans and get clarity on what being a long-term architect would look like. A conference like this was my first formal event, and I would like to thank Nottingham Trent University and the NWIC team for giving me this opportunity. I will continue to form such a strong network while studying for my final year."
Laura Sowter, Chair of the Nottingham Women in Construction network said:
"It was fantastic to welcome Ramita and her fellow Nottingham Trent University students to our Nottingham Women in Construction Luncheon in September. NWIC is proud to help inspire and connect students with our members, and it was wonderful to see the next generation of talent embracing those opportunities. We hope the students will stay connected with our network, as this supports our core values of championing women in the construction industry and encouraging future leaders to thrive. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with NTU and supporting students as they shape their future careers."
Chris Jones, School Employability Manager for the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, said:
"At NTU we are all about preparing our students for the next stage of their personal and professional journeys, and the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, build networks and gain confidence and inspiration is an important part of this. We're really pleased that we have had the opportunity to collaborate with Nottingham Women in Construction on a range of projects and events and very grateful for their continued support for our students."