Surrey student reaps success at Ford 2007 'WISE' prize
Tuesday 5 February 2008
Leatherhead’s Julia Wilson (23) has been named as runner-up in this year's Ford WISE prize. Julia, who is a civil engineering student at the University of Surrey, beat off stiff competition to make it to the final three candidates.
Julia, who attended the Howard of Effingham 6th Form College, was informed about her success at the Young Women Engineer of the Year award ceremony in London.
Graham Hoare, Ford Motor Company's engineering director heading up Dunton technical centre, who attended the ceremony said: "The enthusiasm and passion shown from all finalists has been quite inspirational and it reinforces Ford's commitment to encouraging young women to consider engineering as a career."
Julia said: "I was thrilled to be a finalist for the FordWISE prize 2007. It was a great achievement and I enjoyed meeting leading people in the engineering industry at the awards ceremony. I have gained valuable experience working on site for Kier during my summer holidays and industrial year and I would encourage anyone else studying engineering to find work placements. Kier have sponsored me throughout my degree and I look forward to working for them on my graduation."
The Ford Motor Company WISE prize was initiated to recognize and reward exceptional women in the penultimate year of studying for their engineering degree. It is backed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
This year as an added incentive, all three finalists have been invited to a tour of the Ford's Dunton technical centre in Essex, the UK's largest automotive research and development facility, staffed by an engineering team of more than 3,000.
The facility specialises in commercial vehicle, engine and transmission development.