21/05-10   -   Press releases

Surrey graduate shortlisted for national award

University of Surrey graduate, Dr Phebe Mann, a chartered civil engineer is in the running to be crowned an Asian Woman of Achievement at a prestigious ceremony in London later this year.

Founded and chaired by Indian-born author and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE, and held in association with Lloyds Banking Group, the awards champion often unsung women of Asian origin.

Dr Mann has been shortlisted for the Public Sector Award and has a string of impressive qualifications including being a chartered surveyor (MRICS), chartered builder (MCIOB), Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb), European Engineer (Eur Ing) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and is now a lecturer at the University of Reading.

In order to recognise Phebe´s excellence in Teaching and Learning, the Open University has already awarded her the Practice-Based Professional Learning, Teaching and Learning Excellence Award in 2007.

She started off at the University of Surrey as a graduate with her Master of Science degree in Bridge Engineering. Her research was based on finite element analysis in the soil structure interaction of a masonry arch bridge - Kimbolton Butts Bridge in Cambridgeshire.

In recognition of her innovation and research work, Phebe has also won an Innovation and Research Award from the Chartered Institute of Building. More recently, the Society of Construction Law commended her submission for the Hudson Prize. Phebe has broken new ground in that she is the first and only woman who holds these professional qualifications concurrently.

The winners of this year’s Asian Women of Achievement Awards will be announced during a ceremony at the London Hilton on May 19.

The 2010 shortlist also includes Shindo Barquer, chief inspector of West Midlands Police, Nikki Chawda, managing director of Foundation Housing Association, Harbens Kaur, hospital solicitor of Homerton Hospital, Dr Monica Lakhanpaul, consultant paediatrician of Leicester Community Health Services & senior lecturer, University of Leicester, Dr Shehla Mohammed, consultant geneticist of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.

Pinky Lilani said: "These awards not only celebrate the success of some of Britain’s most high-profile Asian women, they also help identify the next generation of inspirational Asian talent. The exceptional women shortlisted in the Young Achiever category this year are fantastic role models for others."

Kamel Hothi, head of niche markets at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "Asian women now occupy some of the most influential positions in business and public life whether it’s in government, the arts, media and the world of professional services.

"Through our support for the Asian community and women in business, we’re working hard to ensure that as a bank we are offering the services they need to succeed and help shape post-recession Britain."

For information on the awards, visit: http://awa.realbusiness.co.uk/
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