This
is an opportunity to raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women
in engineering.
During
my time here in the Philippines I have observed that many more women naturally
choose a profession in engineering, which led me to wonder why. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting and
talking to a very interesting engineer, Dr. Anna Bella SIRIBAN-MANALANG, Director, Center for Lean Systems and
Management, Associate Professor
in Industrial Engineering, De La Salle University, Philippines.
GS:
What was your reason for choosing to follow a career in engineering?
ABS-R: My father was a businessman, who was engaged
in engine rebuilding. I was trained early in his shop so I knew
technical stuff even when young. I also
had an aptitude for mathematics. So
instead of choosing medicine or law, I leaned towards engineering. My father
supported my decision. I went into Industrial
Engineering because it had the most women at that time. I enjoyed the discipline in the
Philippines. Being a developing country, we needed all kinds of
improvements across all sectors. Seeing things from a Systems
Perspective, I knew there are just so many things to learn and do in education,
social discipline, economic growth, industrial infrastructure and others.
GS: What challenges and rewards have you
encountered along the way?
ABS-R: There is a great need for industrial
engineers in all sectors in the country. We are a highly creative
people with strong inclinations in the arts, but we have very poor
infrastructures in education, sciences, and industries. Being a PhD
graduate I was able to fill a need in my society, my name often comes up first
whenever a consultant or trainer is required in Lean or Six Sigma.
GS: What advice would you offer to a woman
wanting to follow a career in engineering?
ABS-R: You must love and be excellent in mathematics
to go to engineering. You must have great passion towards changing
technology and foresee the impact to the local and global
community.
Manila
June 9th 2014
