MAHA AL-JAHWARI, CIVIL STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

In Oman, Maha has challenged gender norms to pursue her goals and hopes she is encouraging other women to do the same.

I studied civil and structural engineering for my bachelor’s degree and was the only woman in a class of 17 which was a transformative experience for me. It allowed me to challenge societal norms and surpass the expectations of others and even my own. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to embrace and encourage gender diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives and contributions women bring to the field. By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire future generations of women to pursue their passions fearlessly and contribute to shaping a more inclusive engineering community.

When I was younger, I loved art and was very interested in the technique of designing buildings. I’ve always enjoyed being creative and I love to try and make sense of something that is technically complex and challenging. My parents could see this in me and were very supportive when I told them I wanted to pursue engineering. From an early age, my father gave me strength by telling me that I could be whatever I wanted to be.

I joined Petrofac just over two years ago and have over nine years’ experience working as a Civil Engineer. In Oman, I lead on the project delivery contract in Qarn Alam to provide engineering services for our client Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). We prepare the design for several types of buildings in the oil and gas field, including pipe racks, platforms and sun sheds. I work on designs for different structures, both steel and concrete. We collaborate with the client and construction teams regularly and visit the site, when required.

I am trying to challenge gender norms in this historically male-dominated field. There are women in my team, but the senior leaders are all men. That is not to say that they are not supportive – they each have over 20 years of experience and are very generous with their guidance and time. In the future, it would be good to see more women in senior leadership roles in engineering. It would bring different ideas to the industry and be inspiring for young women that do not think that they can do it.

I hope that I can inspire and encourage more women to want to be engineers. My advice to them is to embrace your passion for engineering and believe in your abilities – don’t let gender stereotypes or societal expectations hold you back. You need to be confident in your unique perspective and the value that you bring to the field. Keep pushing boundaries, stay determined and make your mark on the world of engineering!

Maha enjoys to draw in her free time

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