Sara Thurman Wins Ford 'WISE' Prize 2008

BRENTWOOD, UNITED KINGDOM - 26 March, 2009: Mechanical engineering student Sara Thurman became the latest winner of the Ford WISE (Women Into Science and Engineering) prize, the annual award that recognises and rewards exceptional women studying engineering and promotes engineering as a career.

Sara, who is at Leeds University, received her £1,000 prize from Terry Marsh, director of WISE, at the Young Woman Engineer of the Year award ceremony in London.

Alexandra Walker, Ford powertrain manufacturing manager, said: "This year's Ford WISE prize has showcased some amazing talent amongst the UK's female engineering undergraduate population. Having met our three finalists I find myself bowled over by their enthusiasm and commitment to engineering. Whatever their next steps, I am convinced that they will all be highly successful in their chosen careers."

Sara, 22, was selected by a panel of engineering professionals after a rigorous selection process. Amanda Hughes, studying aeronautical engineering at Loughborough University, and Clare Howard, civil engineering at Loughborough University, were the other finalists.

Award winner Sara said: "It is a fantastic achievement to have won the Ford WISE prize, and to have met with so many women excelling in their engineering careers. It has encouraged me to push even harder to be successful in my career and to act as a role model for young women. I hope I can encourage them into engineering by showing them that it's an exciting career where achievement is recognised."

The Ford WISE prize was initiated to recognise and reward exceptional women in the penultimate year of studying for their engineering degree. It is backed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

In addition to the prize money, all three finalists have been invited to tour Ford's Dunton Technical Centre in Essex, the UK's largest automotive research and development facility, staffed by an engineering team of more than 3,000. The facility specialises in commercial vehicle, engine and transmission development.