The World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), the peak international body for engineering institutions, is proud to promote diversity, inclusion, and gender equality in engineering.
The WFEO GREE Women in Engineering Award, was first announced during WFEO’s 50th Anniversary celebration at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in March 2018, with its sponsor GREE Electric Appliances. This is the first global Award to acknowledge and give visibility to outstanding women engineers, for their professional excellence and contribution to engineering for the good of people and planet.
The WFEO GREE Women in Engineering Award is awarded every year.
Nominations were invited for outstanding female engineers who have made significant contributions to engineering. Nominations have been submitted by an institution such as a university, an engineering institute or association, a corporate entity, or a national and international organization.
The International Jury consisted of:
- Maria Prieto Laffargue, WFEO Past President (Chair),
- Peggy Oti Boateng, UNESCO Director for Science Policy and Capacity Building,
- José Vieira, WFEO President elect,
- Blair Min, representing GREE Electric Appliances,
- Ania Lopez as Chair of the Awards Committee (observer).
The Jury completed its evaluations to the nominated candidates from different continents and various engineering fields, independently and anonymously, according to the set award criteria, i.e.
- Outstanding accomplishment in technical fields of engineering,
- Outstanding leadership in engineering,
- Outstanding contribution to the attraction, mentoring and support of women in engineering,
- Outstanding entrepreneurship in an engineering field and development of an organization with significant technical or social impact.
The 2020 WFEO GREE Women in Engineering Award winner is Ms. Elvira Fortunato from Portugal. She was invited to attend the WES2021 Conference and WFEO General Assembly in San José, Costa Rica. The WFEO Awards Committee recognized with Highly Commended Entries, four more nominees, thus extending this important award on a multi-continental level. They were invited to give a short speech at the awarding ceremony.
- Ms. Harriette Amissah-Arthur from Ghana.
- Ms. Magali Anderson from France.
- Ms. Rosalind Archer from New Zealand.
- Ms. Sabah Mashaly from Egypt.
The Awarding Ceremony was organized on Thursday 8 April, 1 PM CET.
