Educating Engineers: Contribution Of Muslim Women Educators In Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Abstract

History has written that women play an important role in developing the UMMAH. From the birth of Hawa as a companion to Prophet Adam a.s, the great impact of women’s role in the society is clearly portrayed in the famous proverb “ the hand that rock the cradle, rock the world”. Therefore, underlying the phrase, rhythms and motions are reflected by the characteristics of the women. In Islam, Muslim women are regarded as a class of their own. They are highly respected as our companions, guiders and mothers in a family institution. However in modern society, their womanhood roles have increased. They are highly educated and become a part of the nation building together with the man. They can be involved in many different fields from teaching, nursing, managerial to professional engineers. In Malaysia, Muslim women fill many universities as educators. They themselves are professionals and involve in educating technocrats and professionals. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is one of the engineering universities in Malaysia with the main aims to educating engineers. This university has a blend of engineering educators from both genders. Although engineering is the field dominated by man, the current trend shows significant increase in women engineering educators as well as the graduates. 30% of the engineering educators in UTM are represented by Muslim women. 13% of these women are recognized for their contributions and achievement and was awarded with professorship. 2% of Muslim women educators in UTM are the university executive members which involve in university decision making.