Committee on Young Engineers / Future Leaders (YEFL)
Young Engineers / Future Leaders (YE/FL) is a Standing Committee of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, which gathers together young engineers, students, and council members as official members from national engineering associations representing their country.
The Order of Engineers & Architects – Beirut serves as the host of the Committee on Young Engineers / Future Leaders from 2024 to 2027.
Introduction
Young Engineers / Future Leaders (YE/FL) is a WFEO Committee gathering young engineers from the different engineering associations of WFEO members. It aims to empower and support young engineers in overcoming challenges and maximizing their potential in the engineering profession.
The Young Engineers Future Leaders Committee recognizes the challenges faced by young engineers in today’s rapidly changing world. In order to empower young engineers to make a positive impact and contribute towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this strategic plan outlines key objectives and initiatives for the next four years. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, we aim to support young engineers in addressing pressing global challenges and creating a sustainable future.
Executive Summary
The committee’s mission is to empower and inspire young engineers worldwide, promoting their professional development, fostering innovation and sustainable practices, and advocating for their meaningful contribution towards achieving global engineering excellence and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The strategic plan focuses on five key strategic areas:
- Professional Development;
- Networking and Collaboration;
- Advocacy and Representation;
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation;
- Outreach and Engagement.
Vision
To be acknowledged and celebrated as the global leader for the young voices of the engineering profession.
YE/FL represents engineers at the beginning of their careers. The role is to support the vision of the WFEO with a focus on the meaningful inclusion and voices of this demographic of engineers around the world.
A key component of this is the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), part of the larger 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals integrate social, economic and environmental commitments—from reducing hunger and poverty, and improving health and work, to protecting the planet—in an inclusive and transformative way. This common framework seeks to ‘leave no one behind’ in an effort to ensure the well-being of people and planet, while promoting peace, prosperity, and partnership.
Young engineers are important to this process, both as active stakeholders in achieving the SDGs, and as future leaders to carry them forward. This vision is aligned with and enables the realization of the WFEO Strategic Objective to ‘Be at the forefront of international efforts in making the Engineering profession contribute to scientifically and technologically achievable goals and innovation’.
Mission
To empower and inspire young engineers and future leaders worldwide, fostering their professional development, promoting innovation and sustainable practices, and advocating for their meaningful contribution towards achieving global engineering excellence and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Strategic Focus
1. Professional Development
Provide professional development opportunities through workshops, seminars, and webinars to enhance technical skills, leadership abilities, and industry knowledge.
Foster mentorship programs that connect young engineers with experienced professionals to facilitate knowledge transfer and career guidance.
2. Networking and Collaboration
Establish collaborations with other engineering organizations, academic institutions, and industry leaders to create a global network for young engineers.
Organize networking events, conferences, and forums to facilitate the exchange of ideas and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
3. Advocacy and Representation
Serve as the voice of young engineers, advocating for their interests, concerns, and aspirations at national and international levels.
Promote diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities within the engineering profession, addressing challenges faced by underrepresented groups.
4. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Encourage an entrepreneurial mindset among young engineers, providing resources and support for innovative ideas and start-ups.
Foster a culture of creativity and problem-solving, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and encouraging young engineers to address global challenges through innovative engineering solutions.
5. Outreach and Engagement
Engage with educational institutions, encouraging interest in STEM fields and engineering careers through mentorship programs, career fairs, and outreach initiatives.
Sophia Hachem, Chair of YEFL
Sophia Hachem is a detail-oriented Electro-Mechanical Engineer with over three years of experience specializing in HVAC systems design, proposal drafting, and technical sales. Currently employed as a Technical Sales Engineer at Khater Engineering & Trading in Lebanon since June 2021, she has developed strong expertise in creating compliant technical and commercial proposals while supporting business development initiatives.
Her technical proficiency spans the full HVAC project lifecycle: conducting load calculations, selecting and sizing systems (VRF, chillers, AHUs, FCUs, heat pumps), preparing engineering drawings and specifications, and coordinating with contractors and suppliers.
She demonstrates strong client-facing skills through site visits, technical demonstrations, and requirements gathering.
Sophia Hachem holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with an Electromechanical specialization from Saint Joseph University (ESIB), completed in 2021.
Her academic work included designing a Hot Box for measuring thermal transmittance of building materials and developing complete MEP systems for a private villa project.
Prior internships provided hands-on exposure to electrical distribution networks at Butec Utility Services and MEP installations at Pro Engineering, building a solid foundation in practical field applications.
A significant asset is her trilingual capability: native Arabic with full professional proficiency in both English and French. She has demonstrated leadership as Vice President of the ESIB Student Council and maintains professional engagement as a member of the ASHRAE Lebanese Chapter.
Sophia Hachem combines technical expertise in HVAC systems with strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, making her well-suited for roles bridging engineering and commercial functions.
Activities
Members
Members list
| Member | WFEO National Member / Institution | Country / Region |
| Abdulaziz AlTurki | Saudi Council of Engineers | Saudi Arabia |
| Abdullah AlRasheed | Saudi Council of Engineers | Saudi Arabia |
| Ahmed Yusuf | Nigerian Society of Engineers | Nigeria |
| Amilcar Peres | Ordem of Engineers of Angola | Angola |
| Ayoub Maataoui | Union National des Ingénieurs – Morocco | Morocco |
| Benedict Atta Poku | Ghana Institution of Engineering | Ghana |
| Bojana Pjanovic | Serbian Chamber of Engineers | Serbia |
| Charles M Mukwaso | Engineering Council of Namibia | Namibia |
| Christopher Chukwunta (Lead, Climate Action Working Group) | Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) | Nigeria |
| Colin Sheldon (observer) | Institution of Civil Engineers UK | UK |
| Donovan Guttieres | Corresponding Member | Expert / USA |
| Edson da Graça Cumbe | Ordem dos Engenheiros de Moçambique | Mozambique |
| Elizabeth Tena Mamo | Ethiopian Association of Civil engineers | Ethiopia |
| Fakhreddine Belgaied | Tunisian Engineers Order | Tunisia |
| Fio Logan Mpayana | Institution of Engineers Rwanda | Rwanda |
| Giorgi Molodini | European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE) | International |
| GONG Jinlong | China Association for Science and Technology | China |
| Hannah Campbell | Engineers Australia | Australia |
| Ingaiza Annette Murambi | Institution of Engineers of Kenya | Kenya |
| Isabel Maria Mira Martins | Ordem dos Engenheiros Tecnicos – Affiliate | Portugal |
| Joelson de Matos | Ordem of Engineers of Angola | Angola |
| José Antonio Diez Torricelli | Peruvian Engineers Association | Peru |
| Juan Carlos Romero | Instituto de la Ingeniería de España | Spain |
| Khin Maung Myint | Federation of Myanmar Engineering Societies | Myanmar |
| Kirati Nitichote | Council of Engineers Thailand | Thailand |
| Lei Wa Chio | Macau Institute Of Engineers | Macau, SAR of China |
| LI Pan | China Association for Science and Technology | China |
| Lilian Mumbua Kilatya | World Council of Civil Engineers (WCCE) | International / Kenya |
| Mauro Naveiras Garabito | Instituto de la Ingeniería de España | Spain |
| Meriem Arfaoui | Tunisian Engineers Order | Tunisia |
| Michael Mhlanga | South African Institution of Civil engineers (SAICE) | South Africa |
| Milda Pladaite | Institution of Civil Engineers UK | UK |
| Milène Guermont | Ingénieurs et Scientifiques de France | France |
| Ms. Wan Chi Huang | Chinese Institute of Engineers | Chinese Taipei |
| Muhammad Tofazzal Hossain | Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh | Bangladesh |
| Muluneh Minda | Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers | Ethiopia |
| Nicole Brown | Engineers Australia | Australia |
| Olumayowa Idowu | Nigerian Society of Engineers | Nigeria |
| Shafiul Azam | Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh | Bangladesh |
| Sofía Retana Valverde | Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos de Costa Rica (CFIA) | Costa Rica |
| Sophia Hachem (Chair) | Federation of Lebanese Engineers | Lebanon |
| Tânia Avelino Chongo | Ordem dos Engenheiros de Moçambique | Mozambique |
| Tijana Tomic | Serbian Chamber of Engineers | Serbia |
| Warat Lumlertpongpana | Council of Engineers Thailand | Thailand |
| WONG Tim | Hong Kong Institution of Engineers | Hong Kong, SAR of China |
| Wong Weng Heng (Ben) | Macau Institute Of Engineers | Macau, SAR of China |
| Zainab Garashi | Kuwait Society of Engineers | Kuwait |