March 13th, 2019, Abu Dhabi (UAE): The Department of Civil Engineering at Abu Dhabi University (ADU) hosted the “2ndannual fib-UAE Women in Civil Engineering” (WICE) Forum. The forum was organized by Dr. Reem Sabouni, Associate Professor and Chair of Women Engineersfib-UAE,and it waspart of the fib-UAE engineering week,held in collaboration with the fibinternational, the fib-UAE chapter, and the Society of Engineers-UAE.
An extended celebration of the International Women’s Day, the forum welcomed a stellar group of expert engineers who convened to meet and discuss with young female engineering students the opportunities and challenges professional civil engineers face.
fibinternational, the international federation for structural concrete, was represented by the President of fib international, Engineer Tor Ole Olen, and the Head of delegate fib-UAE, Engineer Rayed Al Arashi. They were joined by members of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) that included Dr. Elias Sayah, ASCE Governor of Region 10,and Prof. Abdul Rahim Sabouni, President of ASCE-UAE. Other attendees included members of the UAE-Society of Engineers, faculty members from universities across the UAE, engineers and the ADU community.
During the forum, participants shed light on the empowerment of female engineers in the construction industry both in the nation and globally, with a strong focus on its transformation over the years and with emphasis on the role the UAE government plays in empowering female engineers. Following that, key speakers took part in two panel discussions, led by the Chair of the Civil Engineering department, Dr. Evan K. Paleologos, addressing the topics of “Young Women in the Civil Engineering Profession: A Contemporary Perspective” and “Stepping in a Construction Industry Free of Gender Barriers in the Year of Tolerance”.
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Prof. Aly Nazmy, Dean of College of Engineering, who commented:“It gives us immense pleasure to welcome distinguished engineering professionals in the second edition of the annual fib-UAE Women in Civil Engineering, who are here to share their experience and insights working in the engineering industry. It is crucial that we continue to empower female students and enable them with valuable industry skills that would complement their academic knowledge, and to assist in building their confidence in pursuing and succeeding in their careers ahead.”
The UAE joined fib in 2016 becoming its 44thmember nation. The fib-UAE is a chapter under the Society of Engineers-UAE committed to advancing the technical, economic, aesthetic and environmental performance of concrete structures in the United Arab Emirates.
