Abu Dhabi – UAE: – Abu Dhabi University (ADU), an internationally recognized academic institution for quality education and applied research, in collaboration with Society of Engineers hosted the first edition of Fib-Women in Civil Engineering Forum (WICE).

Organized by the ADU’s Civil Engineering department through its faculty member, Dr. Reem Sabouni as part of the engineering week celebration held by the Society of Engineers and the Fib-UAE chapter, the one-day forum drew the participation of Hugo Corres Peiretti, fib President, Professor György L. Balázs, Honorary President of fib and Head of Department of Construction Materials and Technologies, Rayed Al Arashi, Society of Engineer Representative, as well as leaders from the construction industry, academicians and students from ADU and other universities.

The forum brought together influential women in the engineering field to meet with civil engineer practitioners, young female civil engineers and potential female civil engineers. Featuring several presentations by local and international women engineers, the forum also included open interactive discussions.

On the sideline of the forum, Ahmad Khartabil, MCs student at the Department of Civil Engineering at ADU with the support of his advisor Dr Samer Almartini, Associate Professor at ADU, received the AED20,000 1st fib – UAE Graduate Fellowship Award for the novelty of his research proposal titled ‘Improving Mechanical, Durability and Structural Properties of Sustainable Recycled Aggregate Concrete by Incorporating Nanos-Supplementary Cementitious Materials’.

In his welcoming note, Professor Aly Nazmy, Dean of College of Engineering at ADU, said: “The active participation in this event of local and international female engineers indicates that the forum has succeeded in fulfilling its goal of convening influential academic and professional women. We are looking forward to holding the next edition focusing on issues that have a high resonance with our young audience.”

Adding to Professor, Dr Reem Sabouni, organizer of the forum and Associate Professor at ADU and Chair of the Women Engineers fib-UAE stated in her opening remarks: “The 1st Fib-UAE WICE Forum provided female civil engineers with the opportunity to share their experience and knowledge, and discuss the challenges facing women in the field of civil engineering. We are honored that Abu Dhabi University has taken the lead to become the first university in the UAE to host such a prominent event.”

“The fib forum is actively contributing in bridging the gender gap between female and male engineers from different engineering sectors. The Department of Civil Engineering at ADU is looking forward to future collaborations with the Society of Engineers and fib in supporting such important events. The department is extremely proud of its female alumni, who are already making an impact assisting UAE transform into a knowledge-based, technologically advanced society.” Professor Evan Paleogos, Chair of Civil Engineering Department at ADU.

For his part, Hugo Corres Peiretti said: “The UAE has achieved unprecedented economic and social development, which calls for an active participation of Emirati women. Creditably, female national professionals are already making their mark in the industry sector. Their engagement and success has been made possible by the visionary leaders of the UAE.”

He added: “I thank the governmental entities for supporting and ensuring the success of the first Fib -UAE Women in Civil Engineering Forum. We are delighted to be part of this landmark initiative that prioritizes the empowerment of women across all sectors.”

In conclusion, Rayed Al Arashi said: “The 1st Fib-UAE Women in Civil Engineering Forum is part of the engineering week initiative held by the Society of Engineers UAE for the first time this year to celebrate the engineering profession in the UAE.  Building on its remarkable success this year we are planning to hold this event annually.”

The Fib (International Federation for Structural Concrete) is an international organization with 45 national member groups aiming to advance the technical, economic, aesthetic and environmental performance of concrete structures worldwide.  UAE joined fib in 2016 becoming its fourty-fourth member nation.

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About Abu Dhabi University (ADU)

Abu Dhabi University (ADU), an internationally recognized university for quality education and applied research that fosters academic excellence and continued growth, was established in 2003, three years after a charter for the university as a key driver of socio-economic growth, was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region.

At its campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai, ADU’s mission is to go beyond educating students and to contribute in strengthening the UAE’s global position as a progressive and innovative nation through its internationally competitive programs, world-class faculty, and educational resources. The University aims to hone the creative talent, critical thinking and leadership skills of the nation’s youth and empower them to become global leaders and lifelong learners.

Striving towards educational excellence, ADU is the first university in the country to receive the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in 2010 and the first private higher education institution in the UAE and the GCC region to receive an international academic accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ADU’s College of Business Administration holds international accreditations from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the prestigious EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). In addition, its College of Engineering has earned the accreditation of the world renowned Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET.

Dedicated to achieving excellence on all international academic levels, ADU is ranked in the top 2.8% of universities worldwide in the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Universities Ranking, scoring third on the “International Faculty Index” for its faculty’s diverse cultural backgrounds, and ninth on the “International Student Index” for its international student body. Moreover, ADU also ranked in QS’s top 150 leading institutions under 50 years, and in the top 7 of all private young universities in the world, the top 3 of all private young universities in the Arab World, and the top 16 of all private universities around the world.

For media/press inquiries about Abu Dhabi University please contact:

Noor AlMasri

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© Press Release 2018