In a groundbreaking achievement for women in higher education and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields in South Africa, an all-female team from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has clinched top honors at the prestigious AAKRUTI Global 2025 Design Competition. Their innovative project, Latch—a pedal-powered breast pump—addresses critical maternal health challenges in low-resource settings, marking the first time an all-women team has won this international contest.

This victory not only highlights the talent emerging from South African universities but also underscores UJ's commitment to fostering gender equality in STEM through targeted initiatives. As South Africa grapples with underrepresentation in leadership roles despite strong graduation rates, stories like this inspire a new generation of female innovators in higher education.

Meet the Trailblazing UJ Wom+n in Tech Team

The winning team, known as UJ Wom+n in Tech, comprises four honours students from UJ's Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA). Rethabile Mosia, specializing in Industrial Design, led the engineering aspects, drawing from her passion for sustainable solutions. Lerato Matobako, in Multimedia Design, handled user interface and digital prototyping. Courtney Hodgson and Tyesha Billett, both Graphic Design honours students, focused on branding, visualization, and user-centered aesthetics.

Two team members traveled to Houston, Texas, for the finals held from February 1 to 4, 2026, at the 3DEXPERIENCE World event. Mentored by lecturers Ashton Moseley and Pia Findlay, the group exemplified interdisciplinary collaboration—a hallmark of UJ's approach to STEM education. Their success is a testament to how South African universities are nurturing diverse talents in design and technology.

Innovating Latch: A Game-Changer for Maternal Health

Latch is a non-electric, foot-pedal operated breast pump designed for mothers in resource-constrained environments, such as South African townships or rural villages. Traditional electric pumps fail during load-shedding or in off-grid areas, forcing mothers to improvise with unsafe methods like glass jars. Latch solves this with a simple pedal mechanism that mimics manual expression without hand fatigue, a universal flexible lid fitting any standard bottle or reusable container, and fully sterilizable components for hygiene and cost savings.

The step-by-step process is intuitive: Secure the lid to a container, position the pump, pedal rhythmically to create suction, and collect milk—all without electricity. This aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By reducing reliance on disposable proprietary parts, Latch cuts plastic waste and expenses, making breastfeeding support accessible.

• Electricity-free operation ideal for load-shedding-prone areas.
• Universal compatibility lowers barriers to adoption.
• Reusable and durable for long-term use in underserved communities.
• Ergonomic design minimizes physical strain on new mothers.

The team's inspiration stemmed from real-world empathy: "Imagine being a new mother in a township... the electricity cuts out again. That’s the reality Latch was designed to change." This human-centered approach sets it apart in global design competitions.

The AAKRUTI Global Design Competition: A Platform for Future Innovators

Organized by Dassault Systèmes since 2011, AAKRUTI has grown into the world's largest student design contest, engaging over 55,000 participants from 37+ countries. The 2026 edition focused on sustainable solutions in healthcare, mobility, habitat, and green energy using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and SOLIDWORKS software. Twelve finalist teams from nine nations competed in Houston, judged on innovation, feasibility, and SDG alignment.

UJ dominated with Latch in first place and Dr Bou—a child anxiety device—in first runner-up. Other notables included Turkey's cancer treatment and Singapore's aphasia kit. Cash prizes totaled $10,000, plus software licenses, empowering students for careers in higher ed and industry. For South African universities, this elevates profiles in global STEM arenas.Dassault Systèmes Press Release

Photo by SYLE STUDIO on Unsplash

UJ's Wom+n in Tech: Empowering Women in South African Higher Education

UJ's Wom+n in Tech (WiT) initiative in FADA creates spaces for women to build confidence in technology-led fields. It encourages interdisciplinary projects using Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) tools for social challenges. This win validates WiT's model, producing graduates ready for higher ed jobs and innovation roles. UJ also runs STEMMentHER, pairing students with mentors, and events like MIKTA STEM workshops.

In South Africa, universities like UJ, University of Cape Town, and Wits are pivotal in STEM gender initiatives. For aspiring lecturers or researchers, programs like these offer pathways—explore lecturer jobs or research jobs to contribute.

Women in STEM at South African Universities: Progress and Paradox

South Africa leads Africa with women comprising 47.2% of STEM graduates—above the global 35% average. Yet, a paradox persists: Women are 52-55% of university academic staff but only 33% of professors and underrepresented in leadership. Barriers include childcare, funding biases, and cultural norms, despite high enrollment.

Recent International Day of Women and Girls in STEM (February 11) highlighted SA bootcamps and NSTF awards. Universities are responding with mentorships, but more leadership pipelines needed.

Impacts on Maternal Health and Communities in South Africa

In SA, where 80% of mothers breastfeed initially but face expression barriers, Latch could transform access. Township load-shedding affects millions; rural areas lack infrastructure. By enabling milk storage, it supports infant nutrition, reduces infections, and empowers working mothers. The team plans NGO partnerships for local manufacturing, targeting scalability within a year.

This aligns with national health goals, potentially influencing university research in biomedical design. For students eyeing clinical research jobs, such projects bridge academia and real impact.

Challenges and Solutions for Women in STEM Higher Education

Despite gains, African women in STEM face exclusion in leadership due to structural issues. Solutions include targeted scholarships, flexible policies, and networks. UJ's model—empathy-driven design—offers actionable insights: Integrate social challenges into curricula, promote cross-faculty teams.

Photo by Febrian Zakaria on Unsplash

• Mentorship programs like STEMMentHER.
• Funding for women-led research.
• Family support in universities.
• Visibility via competitions like AAKRUTI.

Future Outlook: Scaling Innovations from SA Universities

The UJ team's next steps include prototyping Latch for market, seeking patents, and expanding to other health devices. This could spawn startups, attracting faculty positions in innovation hubs. Nationally, SA higher ed must amplify such wins to meet 2030 STEM targets. Aspiring professionals, check higher ed career advice for tips.

Conclusion: Paving the Way for Women in STEM

The UJ Wom+n in Tech triumph signals a bright future for women in STEM within South African higher education. By blending creativity, technology, and empathy, these students exemplify how universities can drive change. Explore opportunities at Rate My Professor, Higher Ed Jobs, Career Advice, University Jobs, or post a job at Post a Job. Their story motivates the next cohort to innovate boldly.