Longstanding FIDIC volunteer Michele Kruger has been awarded the FIDIC President’s Award for 2023 in recognition of her outstanding and valuable work for FIDIC, especially in the area of the training and development of young professionals and future leaders.

Presenting the award to Kruger during the awards gala dinner event at FIDIC’s Global Infrastructure Conference in Singapore on 12 September 2023, outgoing FIDIC president Tony Barry praised her dedicated and enthusiastic work over many years.

Currently function general manager for water and environment at engineering, design innovation and advisory services company SMEC, Kruger has bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in civil engineering and has also received awards as a young professional and is internationally recognised for their doctorate thesis and has been accorded fellowship in their national engineering institution. Passionate about STEM education, Kruger has also published an acclaimed book on STEM careers in engineering.

She has played a pivotal role in the development of FIDIC’s young professionals and future leaders programmes and has mentored and helped develop many candidates who have gone on to greater things in their careers. Kruger is also the current chair of FIDIC’s diversity, equity and inclusion advisory council, a previous board member of her home member association Consulting Engineers South Africa, a member of the FIDIC Credentialing certification board, a vice-dean of the FIDIC Academy and is also a leading trainer for the FIDIC Future Leaders Management Certificate.

Commenting on the choice of Michele Kruger as the recipient of the award, FIDIC CEO Dr Nelson Ogunshakin said: “In my role as CEO, in selecting and recommending candidates for the President’s Award to the FIDIC board, I reflected on the depth, breadth and length of Michele’s contribution to FIDIC and found it very difficult to step past her. She is an accomplished and eminent professional and a very major contributor to FIDIC.”

As she received her award in Singapore, a clearly emotional but happy Kruger said: “I am delighted, honoured and surprised at receiving the prestigious FIDIC President’s Award. Thank you to our president Tony Barry and to all those I have worked with over many years, who I have had the privilege to work alongside. Your support is greatly appreciated!”