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World Engineering Prize awarded to scientist Elvira Fortunato

The Portuguese researcher Elvira Fortunato, who is also a Full Professor and vice-chancellor of the NOVA University Lisbon, was distinguished on the 25th of March with the WFEO GREE Award Women 2020, the most important international Engineering award, which aims to honor the work carried out by women engineers around the world. In reaction to this award, the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa congratulated the scientist for honoring “the country with another international distinction”. “Her academic career is a real inspiration for all girls and young students who want to pursue a career in Science and Engineering”, can be read in a message on the official page of the Presidency of the Republic.

The application for the international engineering award was presented by the Portuguese Engineers Association (OE). The Portuguese researcher, who is also an advising member of this professional association, was the winner among more than two dozen applications submitted worldwide.

In the application submitted, OE, a member of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), highlighted the "revolutionary character" of the scientific solutions developed by the Portuguese engineer in the area of ​​materials and transparent electronics, with the production of the first thin-film transistors from oxide, developed with sustainable materials, fully processed at room temperature.

In a statement, the president of OE, Carlos Mineiro Aires, stressed that this award "is a pride for Portugal and for all Portuguese" since it "reflects the excellence of Portuguese engineering and science, as well as its diversity". He added: "It is proof that technical competence, talent and innovation have no gender and / or geographical limitations, and that in Portugal there are top professionals who compete and are at the level of the best in the world."

WFEO integrates the main engineering associations at international level, represents more than 30 million engineers from 100 countries, is a member of the main group of the United Nations scientific and technological community and is a member of UNESCO.

Elvira Fortunato, who is also responsible for the SPEAR project for gender equality in academia, adds another award in her career. In March, the researcher was also distinguished with the Pessoa Award.

Photo credits: Tiago Miranda