First female Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in the Middle East

(25/05/2009)

A Bahraini female electrical engineer has been made a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), making her the first female Fellow in the Middle East. Mariam Jumaan, director of public sector reform for the Economic Development Board (EDB), made a number of impressive developments and achievements throughout her 25-year career. She has been a driving force behind a number of utility projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In 1983, Ms. Jumaan started her career with the Ministry of Electricity and Water in Bahrain as a trainee engineer. She later became a power systems studies engineer for 10 years, and in 1995, was appointed as an electrical engineering specialist by the office of Director, Electricity Transmission. The graduate from McGill University then became heavily involved in the preparation of load and energy forecasts for Bahrain, and was also responsible for preparing electricity transmission developments for the Ministry of Electricity and Water, which became her area of expertise. At the pinnacle of her career, when she was Director, Planning and Studies in the Ministry, Ms Jumaan was a key expert responsible for a number of major 220kV and 66kV transmission development projects for Bahrain.

Her work was recognised when she was appointed by the Economic Development Board (EDB) in Bahrain, to take on her current role as director of public sector reform. This involves implementing the National Economic Strategy (NES), across a number of ministries and other government organisations to ensure that the work done meets the requirements and the timelines of the NES.

Ms Jumaan, who was congratulated by the Crown Prince of Bahrain on her achievement, was delighted with the news. She said “Getting the Fellowship of the IET was one of the most important milestones in my career. It is very satisfying seeing my work and achievements being recognised by my peers. It was a tremendous honour being congratulated by His Highness the Crown Prince because it meant that the country's leadership has also recognised this significant achievement. What has truly made this momentous was also finding out that I was the first female in the Middle East to receive the fellowship as I believe that in my own small way I have put Bahrain on the map."

This is not the first time that Ms Jumaan has gained such a prestigious status. In 2002, she became a Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and a Chartered Engineer (C.Eng), making her the first Bahraini female electrical engineer to gain the status.

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