Engineering is often thought of as a man’s world - but an award-winning student Máire Lenihan has shown that it ain’t necessarily so.

For Jordanstown student Máire has been named Trainee of the Year at the annual IAESTE Northern Ireland Trainee of the Year Award.

IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) arranges work placements around the world for students of engineering, science and architecture. The programme is administered in the UK by the British Council.

Monaghan woman Máire - who graduates at Jordanstown next month with a degree in environmental engineering- spent the summer on a work placement in Bangkok, Thailand.

“During my stay in Thailand,” she said, “I have not only learned about the field of soil mechanics and civil engineering, but have also been able to learn more about the culture of this country. IAESTE provided me with a fantastic opportunity to travel to the opposite side of the world and still feel at home.”

Tutor Alan Strong said: "Máire demonstrated both ability and availability in seeking out international experience to supplement her academic studies.What is equally pleasing is that she has retained a real sensitivity to the environmental impact of all engineering schemes, clearly drawing from her travels, and she will surely become a very accomplished engineer with such a lateral approach to the processes and products of engineering."

IAESTE enabled students from Northern Ireland to gain course-related work experience in around forty countries this year, including Japan, Germany, Ukraine and Tajikistan.