NEWS RELEASE 16 March 2007

Launch of the SECT Factor Exhibition

The Launch ceremony of the SECT Factor exhibition took place on the 9th March 07. The exhibition, which was the idea of Salford academic Dr Haifa Takruri-Rizk, is celebrating the achievements of women in science, engineering, and construction and technology (SECT) who act as role models for the next generation.

Haifa who is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing, Science and Engineering at Salford University and the Senior Manager for Salford’s share in the NW Hub for Women in SECT started the ceremony by welcoming the delegates who represented varied industries and organisations such as ... She highlighted that the celebration is to mark the International women’s day, the start of the National Science and Engineering week and most of all the opening of the SECT Factor exhibition.

Haifa expressed her gratitude to the people who made her dream of the exhibition come true; Marie Shaw, the Project Coordinator for Salford’s share in the Hub whose assignment, amongst many others, is to establish the exhibition. Marie almost single handedly put the exhibition together.

Haifa also thanked the JIVE project for providing the funding, and colleagues at the Museum of Science and Industry for their support throughout the planning stages, and for providing the free space to house the exhibition for the whole of March.

Haifa then introduced the guest speaker, Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears MP for Salford since 1997. Hazel was born and bred in Salford. Hazel now is the Chair of the Labour Party and Minister without Portfolio at the Cabinet Office.

Hazel opened her enlightened speech by expressing her delight to be at the Museum to celebrate the achievement of “some incredible women who are pioneers in the fields of science, engineering and technology”

Hazel stressed the persisting phenomena of under-representation of women in the fields of SECT.

“In 2006, only 14% of our engineering and technology degrees were obtained by women. Only 5% of our engineers are women. Seventy per cent of women with a scientific qualification are not currently working in the field.

It shows how important role models are, such as the women being celebrated here today”.

Hazel also emphasised the importance of encouraging young people, n particular girls, to study and take up careers in science, engineering and technology.

“So we must continue to develop our specialisms, empower our inventors and scientists, and open the eyes of our young people, especially young girls, to the opportunities of study and careers in science and technology.”

For a full text of Hazel Blears’ inspiring speech visit: http://www.cse.salford.ac.uk/gender/exhibition

The Launch ceremony also witnessed an outstanding keynote speech by Britain’s Best Boss 2006, otherwise known as Bruce Draper. As Managing Director of Geotechnical Instruments (UK) Ltd, Bruce created a cultural change that transformed the company into a multiple award winning “Employer of Choice”, resulting in staff retention levels dropping from 35% per year to almost zero. Bruce spoke about the elements required to become “Employer of Choice”. He stated that “It is far better to “retain key staff” than to keep replacing them”.

Bruce stressed the significance of flexible working patterns and how they impact on work-life balance. Bruce’s points were:

·  “Flexible working is considered to be the single most highly valued reward.

·  Flexible working hours, to suit employees personal lives, is a huge motivator.

·  Its difficult to manage, so a set of flexible policies is vital for it to work.

·  A “can-do” & “we will find a way” attitude is required by all Managers.”

The third set of talks was given by two female engineers working for BAE SYSTEMS, Louise Rush and Jenny Colledge. In 2006 BAE SYSTEM was voted one of the top 50 UK companies that women want to work for. Louise - who graduated from Salford University with a first class Honours degree in Aeronautical engineering - and Jenny - who graduated in 2006 with an MEng in Systems Engineering from Loughborough University and was sponsored by BAE SYSTEMS - gave an account of their experiences as female engineers working on high profile projects in BAE SYSTEMS. They highlighted the good practices that exist at BAE SYSTEMS.

Ends

Notes to editors

To contact Haifa please email:

The North West Hub is funded by JIVE, a project of the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC), which is based on the Bradford College campus but has hubs and centres throughout Britain. UKRC was established in 2004 to deliver the major part of the Government’s ‘Strategy for Women inScience,Engineering andTechnology (SET)’. The strategy aims to redress the imbalance of women in SECT, retain qualified women, and return qualified women following a career break.

If you require further information or photographs please contact:

Rachel Conway

Press and PR Manager

University of Salford

T: 0161 295 5370

Jamie Brown,

Communications Officer

University of Salford

T: 0161 295 5361

http://www.salford.ac.uk/press_office/