The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is pleased to announce
Soh Khim Ong, Ph.D. as the recipient of the 2009 Emerging Leaders Award in Academia
for demonstrated leadership in academia,
groundbreaking research in manufacturing engineering, and for serving as a role
model for other women engineers.
Dr. Ong is an associate professor in the National University
of Singapore’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. She is responsible for
teaching courses and leading a research team to develop innovative
manufacturing tools and assistive technology devices. Dr. Ong also mentors many
undergraduate and graduate students, all of whom produced significant research,
continued their studies or successfully secured engineering jobs.
“Dr.
Soh Khim Ong demonstrates her leadership and dedication by developing advanced
assistive technologies research and serving as a role model to women
engineers,” says Nora Lin, SWE president. “She secured several hundred
thousands
Singapore
dollars to fund research projects that led to groundbreaking solutions in
assistive technologies, and she has been an advocate and mentor for young
leaders inspiring them to reach for innovative solutions.”
Dr.
Ong began her career as a senior tutor while studying at the National
University of Singapore. Since then, she has been promoted several times,
leading to her current position as associate professor. Dr. Ong also serves as
an assistant editor for a manufacturing systems and technology book series, and
has edited and published numerous books, articles and monographs. In 2005, she
was elected to the International Academy for Production Engineering, one of the
world’s most prestigious academies for manufacturing academics and researchers.
Previously
a nominated member of the Singapore Parliament, Dr. Ong actively participated
in debates and spoke openly regarding national issues. As an advocate for young
leaders, she was also nominated to the Asia21 Young Leaders Program and Forum,
an initiative supporting
Asia’s next
generation of leaders and their innovative ideas.
“Dr.
Ong pursues perfection and excellence relentlessly and distinguishes herself
not only as an outstanding young researcher, but also as a dedicated educator
who cares for her students,” says Andrew Nee Yeh Ching, professor of
manufacturing engineering at the National University of Singapore. “Her studies
in assistive technologies have contributed to advanced care for the disabled
and less fortunate.”
Dr.
Ong earned her B.Eng. in mechanical engineering and Ph.D. in manufacturing from
the National University of Singapore. She has co-edited three books, and
published two highly-regarded monographs and 140 international journal and
conference articles.
The
Emerging Leaders Awards honor women engineers who have demonstrated outstanding
technical excellence in academia; manufacturing and construction; procurement
and logistics; product research, design and engineering; quality; safety,
health and environment; and sales and marketing.
This
year’s Emerging Leaders Awards will be presented on October 16 at WE09, the
Society’s annual conference. WE09 will take place at the Long Beach Convention
Center, October 15-17, in Long Beach, Calif. More than 6,000 attendees include collegians
and professionals from the industry, government and academia.
About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a
not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force
that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women.
SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and receive the
recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements
as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society please visit www.swe.org or call (312) 596-5223.
