Victoria University's, Head of School, Engineering and Science, Associate Professor Iwona Miliszewska, was inducted as a Fellow of Engineers Australia.
Iwona is the first ever female Fellow at VU in its almost 100-year long history of engineering and at this year's ceremony was the only female inducted amongst about a dozen men.
Iwona said, "I am very proud to be the first female honoured like this in the long history of engineering at Victoria University and to be one of only 100 odd female Fellows in Australia among over 5,000 Fellows – there are more than 100,000 members of Engineers Australia.
"The grade of Fellow is the highest grade attainable and as a Fellow of Engineers Australia you are recognised as being amongst the true leaders of the industry and profession of Engineers Australia." she said.
Her recognition comes at a time when the engineering community is facing low female representation which is currently around the 12% mark, but more concerning is that the situation hasn't improved for many years.
Iwona said, "The picture is not all bleak, as Women in Engineering who are part of Engineers Australia, are actively working with organizations such as Exxon Mobil, IBM, SKM, and Ford to develop programs to drive change."
The 'Women in Engineering – Industry Blueprint of Successful in-house Professional Women's Programs' was also launched at the lunchtime event.
Victoria University's Associate Professor Sam Fragomeni, also from the School of Engineering and Science was also inducted as a Fellow of Engineers Australia. Fellows are able to use the post-nominal of FIEAust.
