Win for construction engineering grad
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in construction engineering graduate Hayley Ngo has been recognised by the National Association of Women in Construction NZ (NAWIC) with a Student of the Year-highly commended award.
The annual NAWIC Excellence Awards celebrate women working in the construction sector. Hayley was recognised for her student work, which demonstrated a high level of potential and commitment within the industry.
The rigorous judging process focused on understanding her drive, contribution to and aspiration for the construction industry, Hayley says.
She says she appreciates the support, recommendation and inspiration of AUT Deputy Head School of Future Environments, Associate Professor Nicola Naismith and Senior Lecturer Shahab Ramhormozian.
“Nicola and Shahab were great mentors and lecturers throughout my time at AUT School of Future Environments. They always challenged me to become a better engineer and showed massive support for women in engineering over the years, which made a significant difference in my studies” Hayley says.
Professor Naismith says Hayley is “an amazing student and ambassador for women in construction”.
Ramhormozian adds that she was enthusiastic, attentive, and hardworking as a student.
“While the learning and teaching methods were directly influenced by pandemic disruptions, Hayley, like many of our students at AUT, adapted quickly and well to the ‘new normal’ and did not let the disruptions to affect her learning,” he says.
During her time at AUT, Hayley served as the Engineering New Zealand student ambassador and president of AUT STEM Women. In the roles, she organised events to support and to promote women in the construction industry.
“My drive behind advocating women in engineering is the shortage of wāhine in our industry,” she says.
In the future, she hopes to work towards promoting a flourishing health system in New Zealand from a science, medical and engineering perspective.
This year, the NAWIC Excellence Awards organisers saw a record-breaking 190 nominations. A cohort of 40 judges and moderators assessed each nomination, called referees and nominees, resulting in 53 finalists across 11 categories.
On awards night, at Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, 28 awards were presented, including 11 category winners.
NAWIC encourages women to pursue, establish and sustain successful careers in the construction industry, with the vision of being the leading voice for women in the sector.
It was founded in the US in 1952, and now has branches in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Qatar.