Gender and Diversity Empowerment Committee Unites MUNER Partners

The Gender and Diversity Empowerment Committee (GDEC) is an initiative by MUNER – the Motor Valley University of Emilia-Romagna – in collaboration with its founding partners, universities, and regular members. Formally established during the MUNER Board meeting on December 5, 2023, and launched in February 2024, this Committee is dedicated to addressing gender issues in automotive and engineering education.

Led by Professor Elena Bassoli (MUNER and Unimore) as Coordinator and Professor Vittorio Ravaglioli (MUNER and Unibo) as Vice Coordinator, the GDEC engages all partner companies and universities in promoting gender balance, equal opportunities, workforce inclusion, and a culture of respect and equity.

MUNER DRIVES CHANGE: A Pioneering Training Program

As part of its commitment to inclusivity, the GDEC is proud to announce the launch of “MUNER DRIVES CHANGE“, a training program designed to empower MUNER’s students and faculty by enhancing their personal and professional skills in inclusivity.
This program, which will officially begin in 2025, will address critical topics such as stereotypes, bias, and inclusion strategies in the automotive industry. The goal is to make these concepts engaging and relevant to participants, empowering them to overcome barriers and foster a respectful and equitable learning environment.

Kick-off event:

The program kicked off on December 6, 2024, with an inaugural session titled “The Journey Begins: Inclusive Perspectives in STEM Fields” held at the Modena Technopole and led by philosopher Lorenzo Gasparrini.

Faculty and student sessions in 2025:

The program features parallel sessions for students and faculty, focusing on topics such as

• Overcoming stereotypes and prejudice;
• Using inclusive and transformative language;
• Implementing diversity policies in academic and professional contexts.

This initiative underscores MUNER’s and GDEC’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable future for the automotive and engineering sectors.

Initiatives Supported by the GDEC

In addition to “MUNER DRIVES CHANGE,” the Gender and Diversity Empowerment Committee actively supports and collaborates on a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the automotive and engineering sectors. These include:

• MUNER Summer School “Women in Transport”: A specialized training program for female engineering students, endorsed by Women in Transport – EU Platform for Change, offering an immersive experience in the automotive world.
• Participation in the international “Women in Motorcycling” campaign: Highlighting the personal stories of trailblazing women in motorcycling.
• F1 Scholarships: Supporting students in Advanced Automotive Engineering who face physical, social, or economic challenges; who come from economically disadvantaged countries; or who are underrepresented in engineering programs.
• Eco-Certification Scholarships: Designed to strengthen and incentivize the presence of women in STEM and Advanced Automotive Engineering disciplines.
  Collaboration with
• WOW – Women Motor: For the past three years, MUNER has partnered with and endorsed this event, organized by the Municipality of Imola and the Autodromo di Imola, to highlight women’s achievements and inspire future leaders in the automotive and motorsport sectors.

Aims and Vision

Through collaboration with academic and industry partners, the GDEC is committed to inspiring cultural and structural change, promoting gender equality, and empowering a new generation of professionals. In a sector characterized by significant gender disparities, addressing these issues is not only important but mandatory. The pursuit of tangible goals and the creation of fair and inclusive work and educational environments are fundamental to promoting greater representation of women and ensuring that the talents and abilities of all individuals, regardless of gender, are properly recognized and utilized.

By fostering a balanced and inclusive environment, MUNER reaffirms its leadership in shaping the automotive and engineering sectors into spaces where everyone can thrive and contribute.