IET names UK’s top female engineers
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has announced the winners of the 2012 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards, with engineering design graduate Yewande Akinola named the overall winner.
Made up of three coveted prizes, the awards seek to recognise the very best female engineers under the age of 30 working in the UK today, and inspire others to enter the profession.
Akinola, an environmental services engineer with ARUP, was recognised for her commitment to sustainability and innovation regarding water supply technology, including water sanitation methods for developing and underdeveloped countries.
A graduate from the University of Warwick, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Design and Appropriate Technology, and a Masters in Innovation and Design from Cranfield University.
Akinola walked away with the top prize of £2,500 and will now act as the new IET young woman engineer ambassador for 2013.
Upon receiving her award, she commented: "Winning this has encouraged me to work even harder to put all the effort I can into spreading the message about how successful women in engineering are and can be.
"I'm hoping this will help me tell an effective story that will inspire young girls to consider a career in engineering and will demonstrate the diverse and fantastic opportunities this industry has to offer."
Other awards on the night included the 2012 WES Prize, which was awarded to Charlotte Tingley, an engineer with BAE Systems. Tingley received a trophy and cheque for £750.
The 2012 Intel Inspirational Award for Entrepreneurship was awarded to 18 year old Jessica Jones for her recent work in helping to design a portable, electronic foetal contraction monitor for Huntleigh Healthcare Diagnostics.
IET deputy president Barry Brooks commented: "These awards continue to champion some of the UK's highest achieving female engineers.
"I congratulate each finalist and hope each has inspired a new generation of young women to consider the opportunities that are available to them, as engineers and technologists."
