Australian engineer to head global engineering body

Australian engineer Dr Marlene Kanga AM has been elected to the position of president-elect of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.

Engineers Australia CEO Stephen Durkin welcomed the appointment, saying, “Dr Kanga has been an outstanding advocate for the engineering profession in this country. As a former national president of Engineers Australia, Dr Kanga has a strong history of service to the engineering profession and we are proud to have such an eminent engineer representing Australia on the international stage.

“Dr Kanga will formally take the role of president of this international organisation in December 2017 for a two-year term. During her term, Engineers Australia will be celebrating its centenary and hosting the World Engineers Convention in Melbourne in November 2019. This will make Engineers Australia a focus of the engineering world.

“The World Federation of Engineering Organizations operates under the auspices of UNESCO and is the voice of the engineering profession at an international level, addressing global issues such as education standards, international mobility, sustainable engineering practices and solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. It represents 90 national and 10 international and regional institutions and some 20 million engineers. Dr Kanga’s election is a clear recognition of her leadership at an international level.

“Dr Kanga has been a strong campaigner for the critical role of innovation in our national economy and other issues that challenge our profession and our national economy.

“Dr Kanga’s election comes at a time when Australian engineers and engineering firms are expanding their global influence. Having such an eminent engineer take the message of Australian engineering to the international community is an outstanding achievement.”