International Women Engineers Conclave 2021 by Institution of Engineers India (IEI) Qatar was conducted recently with more than 200 participants. IEI Qatar chapter is accredited under the aegis of the Embassy of India.
IEI India President Narendra Singh, chaired the event, congratulated all organisers and addressed the gathering. The president emphasised the bilateral relationship of IEI with 33 countries and its various contributions. He encouraged women engineers to come forward to shape the world.
Honorary Chairman of IEI Qatar Abdul Sathar welcomed the audience and urged the importance of the emergence of women in engineering.
Dr Rajasree M S, vice chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Kerala, was the chief guest. She said the increase in the percentage of women in engineering now is a positive sign and mainly because the way engineering as a profession is looked upon has changed. Engineering is not only the physical works; it mostly includes intellectual works and hence the way which we looked at engineering has changed. Engineering is not simply the work between man and machine; there is something else like data and use data to manipulate. This new perspective has given more opportunities to women in engineering and it is a good time for the emergence of women in engineering. Organisations and institutions support and instill policies to encourage more women engineers to ensure the balance between profession and family. Different countries and the Indian government are making sure women are decision-makers and leaders.
Guest of honour Prof Dr Nupur Prakash said women engineers are most demanded these days as most of the companies are trying to correct their gender ratio. According to Unesco only 24% women joined the STEM workforce, which need to be increased and looked into seriously.
Dr H R P Yadav, secretary and director general of IEI India, gave the thematic address and recognised Dr Rajasree and Dr Nupur as testimonials for the emergence of women in engineering and in high official roles.
The highlight of the event was the panel discussion on the topic ‘Emergence of Women in Engineering’ which was moderated by Sabeena M K, president of IEI Qatar Women Wing. Six women engineers from different countries were the panelists. They were: Dr Nidhi M B, associate professor MED, MBCET and joint secretary IIIE Trivandrum chapter; Mikaela L Espiritu, representative of Philippines Engineers Forum; Yahanna Abbas, Malaysian Association; Raunaq Jahan, member of Institution of Engineers Bangladesh; Benjana Shrestha, Nepal Engineers Association; and Niranjana Mohandas, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka. In the end, Busna Ibrahim, IEI Qatar executive committee member, proposed the vote of thanks.
 
 
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