An Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East graduate has been named the winner of the ‘Rising Star’ award at the 2018 Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) Awards.
Fritha Bevin-McCrimmon, who is co-chair of the ICE North East Graduates and Students committee and is currently based in Newcastle, was recognised for her work encouraging young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
New Zealander Fritha grew up in Dunedin, and studied at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. She was able to put her learning into action immediately, after an earthquake devastated the city, in the country’s fifth-deadliest disaster.
Nowadays, she works as a Project Engineer for Stantec, and can regularly be found facilitating events for young people, including the Women in Engineering Day at Newminster Middle School in Morpeth.
The WISE Awards were established in 2012 by The Wise Campaign, to celebrate the work being done by individuals and organisations to encourage gender balance in STEM careers.
Fritha Bevin-McCrimmon said: “If I have made a difference to one child then that is reward enough but it has been an honour that my commitment to education and children has resulted in winning such a prestigious award.
“I feel very proud of what I have accomplished and it is lovely to have that recognised.”
Penny Marshall, the regional director for ICE North East, said: “We are incredibly proud to have young women like Fritha working with ICE and encouraging pupils and students to consider a career in STEM. She is more than deserving of this award, and I’m excited to see what she will achieve in the future.”
The Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne, is pictured presenting the award to Fritha Bevin-McCrimmon