Engineers Australia CEO receives honorary doctorate

Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO has been honoured for her exceptional contributions to sustainability, innovation and equity in engineering.

Madew, who laid the foundation for sustainable construction in Australia, has been admitted to the degree of Doctor of Engineering (honoris causa), in recognition of her contributions to engineering, sustainable development and leadership in the built environment.

Madew was honoured during a ceremony presided over by Pro-Chancellor Professor Stephen Garton and Dean of Engineering Professor Hesham El Gamal.

“Her leadership has been instrumental in positioning engineering as a key driver of Australia’s future prosperity, particularly in the context of climate change, urbanisation and the transition to a low-carbon economy,” El Gamal said.

“Ms Madew’s visionary leadership and commitment to sustainability have profoundly influenced Australia’s built environment and inspires a generation of engineers and professionals to prioritise environmental stewardship in their work.

“Romilly has also worked tirelessly to promote the participation of women in engineering, advocating for equitable opportunities and supporting initiatives to increase the representation of women in leadership roles within the industry.”

Madew graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics. Her career is a showcase of life-long dedication to ensuring sustainable development in the built environment. She championed green building initiatives as CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia and Director of the World Green Building Council.

Use of the Council’s Green Star rating system expanded under her leadership, becoming the benchmark for sustainability in the construction and built environment sectors, influencing the design, construction and operation of buildings and communities throughout Australia.

As CEO of Infrastructure Australia, sustainability principles were integrated into infrastructure planning. This laid the foundation to shape policies and practices to ensure the future of Australia’s infrastructure was resilient.

In 2019, Madew was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to the construction sector as a change agent, and her commitment to sustainable building practices.

Madew continues to drive the agenda for innovation, sustainability and diversity within the engineering profession in her current capacity as CEO of Engineers Australia.

Her advocacy and sustainability efforts reach far beyond engineering. Her passion for education and mentorship has had a profound impact on the next generation of engineers. She is co-founder and Director of the Minerva Network — a not-for-profit organisation supporting professional sportswomen through mentoring, development programs, networking opportunities and scholarships.

Image credit: (L–R) Dean of Engineering Professor Hesham El Gamal, Romilly Madew and Pro-Chancellor Professor Stephen Garton.