The following story by FOTOUH AL-RAGOM from Kuwait is an extract from the booklet 'Women in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry."
Of four siblings, I am the oldest and the only female. I have enjoyed studying STEM-related subjects, and energy has always been my main area of interest. During high school, I joined a new curriculum that was in its third year in Kuwait. In that system, you could select your courses, and so I declared my specialization to be maths (maths and science were the options in STEM-related welds). One subject got my attention and that was RAC. I enjoyed that subject even though my close friends were against taking it as they thought it was a male-oriented subject. I loved learning about DX systems and their parts. Getting the highest mark in that class was the starting point of my future studies in mechanical engineering and my future career in a research institute.
After graduating from high school with a high GPA (that could have allowed me to enter medical school then), I chose to study mechanical engineering. At that time, back in 1985, medical school and engineering had a high demand for high school graduates, yet very little preference was shown for mechanical engineering by either gender. However, I persisted and made it my only selection for Kuwait University, not selecting any other option. During my years at university, while I was encouraged by my parents and professors, I sometimes found it hard to be in classes in which I was the only female. Yet I was determined to excel in this male-dominated field. I felt that this discipline needed more “female brain” to complement the work of our male colleagues. I have been on several training courses related to air conditioning as it was of interest to me and because I live in a hot and arid climate where the temperature can soar to 55°C in summertime, and summer is about eight months long.
During my several training courses, I joined a car dealership to learn about car engines and their A/C systems, and I also joined the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), where I fell in love with my future profession. For two consecutive summers I skipped vacation time with my family; I missed seeing California, the USA and Cyprus for the sake of learning about energy consumption in Kuwait, and I received training on how to make buildings more efficient to reduce cooling demand in Kuwait. In fact, I still have not been to Cyprus! After graduating at the head of my national mechanical engineering class in 1990 (one semester before normal graduation), I applied to join KISR as a research assistant.
Now, 28 years later, I am still working at KISR and proud to be doing so. My work has mainly been focused on energy efficiency, specifically in relation to RAC. I have worked on several jobs that led to the adoption of certain measures in the national code of practice for energy. I worked on evaluating the performance of RAC under high ambient temperature and utilization of indirect/direct evaporative coolers.
In 1992, I went to do my master’s degree at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. I graduated in 1995 after the completion of the course work and a master’s thesis on developing a heat exchanger part of a car ejector type A/C system utilizing R-134a refrigerant. After resuming work at KISR again, I was appointed to be KISR representative at the National Ozone Unit to take part in advising the Kuwaiti Government on RAC issues pertaining to the Montreal Protocol. I served on that committee from 1998 to 2006, when I left to pursue my PhD at the University of Florida, Gainesville. During the years that I worked at the National Ozone Unit, I worked on various programmes including technical and educational. I have also participated in providing general awareness presentations to the general public and kids at school.
I am currently a manager for the Energy Efficiency Technologies (EET) programme of the Energy and Buildings Research Centre (EBRC) at KISR.
- “Women can be at the forefront of technological advance if they show the traits of success, mainly in the form of interest, motivation and perseverance"
The various degrees that I have earned include a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kuwait University; a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, and both a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. These degrees are all in what are traditionally viewed as male-dominated fields of study. Yet, while the hurdles are there and at a certain point in time might make a woman doubtful about her capabilities, it is important to know that both genders exhibit different capabilities and both can advance technology in their own way. As my interest in the field of energy and RAC grew, I continued to further update my technical skills by being an active member of several professional organizations including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Society of Engineers (ASME), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). I also joined several women’s organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL). Joining professional organizations can empower any individual whether female or male. Joining women’s organizations is indeed important to empower and encourage female professionals. I also take the time to give something back by giving talks (technical or motivational) to professional peers, the general public and students. I participate in programmes that empower women, specifically women in engineering. I joined the Kuwait University programme to encourage women to maintain their specialization in mechanical engineering. I have also joined the University of Florida female students’ mentoring programme as a mentor for young students in STEM. Further, I became the first female Certified Energy Manager (CEM) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2001. Currently, I hold other certifications, the latest being Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) of the Association of Energy Engineers.
In the course of my career, I have received several national, regional and international awards, including the 2017 International Professional Development Award from the Association of Energy Engineers (USA) the award for Kuwait’s Distinguished Female Engineer from the Federation of Arab Engineers in 2016, and the 2008 Energy Engineer Award category of the Emirates Energy Award (EEA).
I also co-founded the Kuwait chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and am currently serving as its president. I serve on several national and international professional committees, expert panels and technical boards including the AEE Certification Board and acts as Assistant Director for International Membership Development for the Middle East for the AEE.
As a scientific researcher, I have worked on several projects and led others in the field of RAC including projects on alternative refrigerants and performance assessment of residential A/C systems using various refrigerants. Currently, I’m working on the development of a national testing facility for RAC systems. I still have more to do in my career as a scientist. The challenges that we are facing to commit to sustainable development can be a source of inspiration for technology development. I would like to encourage young female professionals to pursue their career path if they choose such a path in RAC. Women can be at the forefront of technological advance if they show the traits of success, mainly in the form of interest, motivation and perseverance.
