Grand Finale of IET Young Woman Engineer of the year 2021 (IET YWE'21)

The Young Woman Engineer of the year award ceremony is a biannual award competition conducted by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Young Professionals (YP) Sri Lanka Network to empower women in engineering and to appreciate their contribution and efforts. Being a woman and being an engineer is not a simple task. Therefore, the YWE award is an attempt to appreciate the young women engineers’ efforts and motivate them to dream high.

The IET YWE'21 was held on 11th March 2022 for the 3rd consecutive time at Galadari Hotel from 6.00 pm onwards. Five finalists were selected, out of 18 contestants who participated in the first round. The opening ceremony of the IET Young Woman Engineer of the year event was graced by the honorable guests together with contestants, and their families and IET members.

Eng. Thilini Wasundara, the former chairperson of IET YP Sri Lanka Network and the event chair of IET YWE 2021, delivered the welcome speech. After the welcome speech, Eng. (Mrs) Sumithra Moonasinghe, the chief guest, was invited to deliver the keynote speech of the event. She discussed her journey, the current electricity crisis in Sri Lanka, and the importance of the voice and involvement of engineers to overcome such critical situations in Sri Lanka.

The honorable panel of judges for the grand finale were Prof. Niranjanie Rathnayake (Chair), Eng. (Mrs) Yamuna Samarasinghe, Dr. (Eng.) Ranil Sugathadasa, Eng. (Mrs.) Shyama Gunawardana and Eng. Lalith Kahapitiya.

The five finalists of the YWE 2021 were Eng. Pavithra Abayawardhana, Eng. (Dr.) Varuni Jayasooriya, Eng. Pavithra Madhubashini, Eng. Shirivi Sandamini and Eng. Pramodhya Senanayake. They performed their presentations which showed very inspiring journeys for young girls to chase their dreams in engineering. Their commitments being young women engineers were appreciated by Prof. Niranjanie Rathnayake who was the Guest of Honour tonight in her speech. She was happy about the talent of the future generation. The small video on the journey of YWE in Sri Lanka was a memorable moment for all the past and current members of IET. It was a proud journey of youngsters in the IET YP Sri Lanka Network.

After five presentations by the finalists, the floor was open to the winner of YWE 2019, Eng. Zahra Marzook. She managed to inspire everyone in the event by a story of the importance of having appropriate guidance through effective mentoring to achieve success in life. One of the key moments of the IET YWE’21 Grand Finale was The President of IET, Sir Julian Young’s video message which occupied a special place in everyone’s heart.

Finally, Eng. (Dr.) Lalith Liyanage, the Chairman of IET Sri Lanka Network addressed the gathering and he mentioned the journey of YWE in Sri Lanka having involved in the judging process in all three occasions and elaborated on the importance of women’s role in the field of engineering.

Tokens of appreciation for both first-round and grand finale judges were awarded followed up by the first-round participants and the finalists receiving their participating certificates. Then it was time to announce winners. The 2nd Runner up was Eng. Pavithra Madhubashini and Eng. Pavithra Abhaywardana was the 1st Runner up. Eng. Pramodhya Senanayake was awarded as the winner of YWE 2021. They all received their certificates, trophies, and cash prizes.

Finally, the vote of thanks was delivered by Eng. Sanjeewika Rathnayake, the honorable secretary of IET YP Sri Lanka Network 2022 and the co-chair of the IET YWE'21 competition. IET Young Woman Engineer of the year 2021 came to an end, with the plan of crowning another young woman engineer as IET Young Woman Engineer of the year 2023.