Senior Lecturer at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) awarded WFEO accolade
World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO)
The World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO) recently concluded its World Engineers Convention (WEC) in Melbourne Australia. This convention is globally recognised as the ‘Olympics of Engineering’ and is held every four years. Engineers, researchers, academics from more than 85 nations were in attendance. The WEC provided a unique opportunity for engineers to participate in an international integrated approach to solve a number of problems faced globally.
Dr Smita Francis, a Senior Lecturer at NUST and Coordinator of the Namibia Institute of Space Technology (NIST), was awarded a WFEO accolade in appreciation of her contribution towards the engineering fraternity. She is also the Founder of the Namibia Women in Engineering Association (NAMWIE).
Dr Smita says this recognition came as a pleasant surprise. “It’s a great honour to be given accolades and being recognised at a global platform of engineers.
This award is a team effort and I would like to express my deep gratefulness to the stakeholders and members of the project who worked relentlessly and supported me in the venture for promoting capacity development initiatives in engineering. I am truly obliged for this great recognition bestowed by WFEO.
I am motivated to take up new and challenging projects through WFEO which would work for the benefit of engineering fraternity in Namibia and assist Namibia with the implementation of the national development plans,” she said.
The WFEO general assembly approved the WFEO strategic plan 2019-2023. The assembly endorsed the establishment of a WFEO and International Engineering Alliance (IEA) working group on capacity development.
The working group was mandated to extend the global reach of the IEA accords and agreements through the WFEO network in conjunction with the UNESCO in order to raise the standard of engineering education, accreditation and a professional charter to the international IEA standards. Dr Smita says with this alliance, Namibia has a lot to gain in standardising its engineering education in accordance to global standards.
This will enable our engineering graduates to be recognised beyond Namibia. WFEO is working on a global code of ethics for the engineering profession that will be beneficial to Namibia.