Dr Wajiha Shahzad (centre) teaching students at Massey University’s School of Built Environment.
Dedicated to motivating women to become the future of construction.
Enrolling in civil engineering at university in 1999, a young woman stood out and raised a few eyebrows.
“There were comments like, ‘Construction? Isn’t that a man’s job?’ says Dr Wajiha Shahzad, senior lecturer in Construction Management and post graduate lead at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s School of Built Environment.
But she says that first step towards the construction industry took her on a journey towards a fulfilling career. Succeeding in her university studies, she committed to career in industry and worked mostly among men where she immersed herself in large infrastructure projects.
“I realised the potential for the industry and decided to play a greater role in supporting women to contribute to the construction sector,” says Shahzad, later transitioning to academia and picking up a Masters degree and a Doctorate on the way while empowering the next generation of women to join the construction industry and become leaders.
“It’s important to encourage women to build skills, confidence, and pursue careers in quantity surveying, project management, and engineering – and become those leaders,” says Shahzad.
She adds that balancing the scales, women in construction often break down barriers, and many prove women can succeed and lead.
“As a mother of three boys, I would joke with my husband that I’ve been surrounded by men all my life.” Whether at home with her boys, at work, or in industry seminars, she is determined to show that women can excel in any construction zone – with a hard hat on site or without one in class.
In class, Shahzad teaches more than just technical skills. She emphasises the importance of research, staying on top of industry trends, and integrating real-world challenges into the curriculum. Through industry collaborations, she ensures her students receive practical education that better prepares them for industry.
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