Croydon graduate selected as civil engineers President’s Apprentice
A graduate working for civil engineering firm Mott MacDonald Group in Croydon has been chosen as “one of the brightest and most innovative young engineers in the country” by incoming President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Barry Clarke.
Sanaya Kerawala, who graduated from Exeter College at the University of Oxford in 2011, won her position against stiff competition and will be representing the railway industry.
Incoming ICE President, Barry Clarke, who will take over from Richard Coackley in November, said that the central theme for his apprentices will be around ‘ethics and practice’, with the aim of helping to produce an ethical guide for civil engineering graduates.
He said: “How ethics impacts on engineering practice is a topic I was keen to weave through my apprentice scheme as it’s an area that throws up many questions and challenges and one that has been raised by young engineers at the start of their careers.
“We received a significant number of high-quality applications and while it was tough to pick just six, I am confident that I have chosen some of the brightest and most innovative young engineers in the country.”
Director of ICE London, Miranda Housden, said: “As part of the application, candidates were asked to submit a 500-word essay on the subject ‘Ethical challenges: the conflict between the design brief and sustainable principles’.”
Sanaya said: “I argued that there is a growing desire for modern design briefs to meet Government sustainability targets and it is down to engineers to make them a reality. Engineers need to embed cost-effective and innovative sustainable principles into their designs at earlier stages and continue to review sustainable practices throughout the project lifecycle.”
“The six apprentices accepted on to the scheme, representing different engineering sectors, will be given a unique insight into the world of a senior engineer and how the ICE works to represent its members by attending important events and meetings with senior civil servants or ministers,” said Miranda.
“Additionally, they will each have mentoring sessions with Barry Clarke, get to be involved in presidential initiatives, as well as being able to engage with key ICE members.
“ICE London congratulates Sanaya on her appointment and look forward to working with her during her year as a President’s Apprentice."
“I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen as an ICE President’s Apprentice,“ said Sanaya. “The opportunities it will provide during the year are incredible and will help me develop my career in civil engineering.”
ICE London has more than 8,000 members living and working in the city. More information can be found at www.ice.org.uk/London. You can follow ICE London on Twitter: @ICE_London.