HISTORY OF APWEN

...Nurturing a technologically developed nation with women engineers as key players

The Association of Professional Women Engineer of Nigeria APWEN was formed by a handful of women engineers led by Engr. (Mrs.) J. O. Maduka in 1982 was formally inaugurated in 1983. It was originally meant to be a pressure group since most men hiring engineers then would rather have women in the kitchen and not on construction sites nor behind the desk carrying out engineering designs.
APWEN is a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) (a non-governmental umbrella body for all engineers in Nigeria) but unlike the other divisions, APWEN is made up of professional female engineers in all disciplines of engineering. It is also a member of the National Council of Women Societies.
APWEN, at inception in 1982, had only six (6) members. The membership has grown over the years to over 1500 with members spreading all over the country. APWEN also has university student membership.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the association are relevant today as they were 28 years ago and they include but not limited to;

To provide a forum for promoting sorority amongst female engineers.
To encourage engineering studies and practice amongst female Nigerians.
To create a platform by which women engineers can collaborate with other women in other professions in Nigeria and elsewhere.

MISSION

To stimulate women to achieve professional excellence as engineers and leaders.
To expand the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life.
To generate enough awareness that engineering is a career for girls too and to improve on the numerical strength of female engineers in Nigeria.

CHAPTERS

APWEN has many chapters of the association spread out nationally, and they include but not limited to:

Abuja
Port Harcourt
Ilorin
Maiduguri
Ibadan
Minna
Kano
Kaduna
Enugu
Ondo
Lagos
Umuahia
Warri
Ado-Ekiti
Benin
Owerri
Aba
Ajaokuta
Abeokuta
Jos

STUDENTS CHAPTERS

• University of Nigeria Nsukka
• University of Lagos
• Lagos State University
• University of Ilorin
• Enugu State University
• Obafemi Awolowo University
• University of Benin
• Federal University of Technology Owerri
• Igbinedion University Benin

APWEN TODAY

Over the past 28 years , APWEN has been able to record a level of achievement of her objectives by;

• Advancing professional knowledge of memeber through facilitation of continuing professional development
• Organizing industrial visits to technical industries.
• Organizing career-counselling sessions for female students of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to increase awareness and encourage girls to study science and engineering.
• Participating, as role models and mentors, in the programmes organized by engineering students of tertiary institutions.
• Giving scholarships and awards to outstanding female engineering students
• Recognising and honouring excellence in engineering practice by female engineers.
• Acknowledging employers of female engineers
• Organizing conferences, seminars, workshops and technical lectures.
• Ensuring adequate visibility through publicity coverage of APWEN activities and publishing of newsletters.
• Participating in international conference of Women Engineers and Scientist (ICWES) and World Engineers Conventions.

The impact of the effort of the association has been encouraging as more girls are opting for the profession, although the aggregate percentage is still quite low. However, the existing of APWEN has sensitized and created awareness in government, industries and the larger society.
To this end, APWEN has embarked on continuous professional development for the technical industries and organizations with diverse participation, as our contribution to the technological development of the nation.
A number of international bodies have shown interest in the activities of the association and APWEN has been invited to collaborate with UNESCO and the Global Alliance for diversifying of the workforce.

BRIEF ABOUT APWEN

Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria(APWEN) is a non profit, non governmental educational service organization. It is also a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. APWEN is opened to all female engineers in Nigeria and around.
APWEN helps women engineers to succeed and advance in their careers and assist students in the study of engineering. our programmes are geared towards employing, retaining and advancing of women engineers through career services, professional development and odf course networking both locally and internationally,

MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT

Professional development programmes for all levels
Seminars and conference , national and internationalopportunities to nework and mentor
Awards and recognition for practicing engineers and educators

JOIN TODAY

Come on board the ship of women in engineering and technology and experience the joy of being able to encourage, enchance and excel in your career and life. You can pick a Form from APWEN office at the NSE Secretariat or visit our website: www.apwen.org
e-mail: apwen1@yahoo.com, info@apwen.org
Tel:01476553, 0803-672-5049, 08066088466, 017637778