Queen Letizia has chaired the first meeting of a strategic council in place for Women in Engineering in Spain, heralding in a project for change within the industry.
The meeting, which took place at the Royal Academy of Engineering in Spain on January 26th, included women in science professions including research, science, engineering and technology who have helped launch this project “to promote the participation of women in these areas, essential for development and social transformation,” according to the Royal Academy.
Upon her arrival, Queen Letizia was received by Pedro Duque, the Minister of Science and Education; Antonio Colino, the President of the Royal Academy of Engineering; María Vallet, the Vice President of the RAI and Director of the Intelligent Biomaterials Research Group; and Elena Salgado, President of the Women in Engineering Strategic Council.
During the subsequent meeting, the Strategic Council discussed its objectives; created an organisational chart, objectives and activities for the promotion of female technological talent; and discussed ways that it can engage and present its mission throughout 2021.
According to the Royal House, the Strategic Council “affirms that the training of talent with technical profiles is key, which requires an educational model to reverse the situation. It emphasizes that the creation of a great alliance that leads a paradigm shift in education is urgent because only through a change will it be possible to respond to the challenges posed by emerging technologies. It is not about acquiring technological skills and knowledge to use different technologies but about knowing how they work and designing them.”
Noticing a need for support of women in engineering, the Royal Academy has worked to develop “numerous programs to value engineering by highlighting its social value, promoting STEM vocations among children, girls and young people and give visibility to professional women in the STEM field,” according to its website.
The Strategic Council was formed in 2016 and in February 2018 was given an audience with Queen Letizia at the palace.
