Growing up in Jakarta, Indonesia, Alya Aldrin had firsthand experience with many devastating floods. From this experience, she saw the need for and importance of disaster resilience in cities like Jakarta.
While pursuing her bachelor's degree in civil engineering at the University of Indonesia, Alya collaborated with her supervisor to develop ResQ, a mobile application that connects disaster victims directly with search and rescue teams. Designed to improve disaster mitigation and emergency response efforts, the app aims to increase survival rates during disasters in Indonesia.
By the time she completed her degree, the COVID-19 pandemic had struck, followed by consecutive years of severe flooding in Jakarta. Alya reflected on the ongoing issues with disaster management.
“They are always constantly fixing things—fixing the dam, fixing the walls, and everything—but it’s never about prevention,” said Alya. “So, I was thinking I might be able to focus on prevention rather than reaction. Because when you react, it's always too late.”
With the Women in STEM scholarship from the British Council, Alya pursued a Master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering at Brunel University London. Her studies in the UK broadened her perspective, offering real-world insights into the field. “They also talk a lot about how to progress in your career, which is something I wish they would do in Indonesia. When you’re better prepared, you know where to go once you graduate—you don’t really have to figure it out yourself,” continued Alya. Brunel University also has a women’s community that provides a mentorship programme connecting students with industry professionals, opening doors to new opportunities for Alya.
Because of this culture of mentorship and career progression discussions, Alya remained in London after graduating to work for GIR Construction Solutions as an Operations Manager. In this role, she leads a team of engineers and architects while collaborating with clients and third parties across the UK. Her work is driven by a mission to create meaningful, lasting impact in construction by integrating energy-efficient solutions.
However, Alya’s ultimate goal is to use her platform to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM.
"I make it a priority to bring on young female engineers to my team," she says. Having experienced firsthand the value of female mentorship, she believes, "It's incredibly rewarding to mentor them and watch them grow. We need more women's voices and perspectives in this industry."
Alya hopes that through her work and by fostering a stronger STEM community, more advanced disaster mitigation strategies can be developed to protect vulnerable communities, especially across Asia.
