After graduating in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay in 1976, Dr. Marlene (nee Fernandez) Kanga obtained her Master’s degree from the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London University, specialising in risk and safety engineering. She also has a Ph.D. in Finance from Macquarie University, Sydney.
Dr. Marlene Kanga is a chartered professional engineer and one of the approximately 100 women who are Fellows of the Institution of Engineers Australia (Engineers Australia). She is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers New Zealand (Engineers New Zealand). She has been a member of the Engineers Australia National Council since 2007 and is currently the National Deputy President. She will be President of Engineers Australia in 2013, the second woman to rise to this position in the 94 years since the foundation of this institution.
Dr. Marlene Kanga is Director of Business Technology Pvt. Ltd., which she founded and which provides advice on risk engineering and corporate governance. She is also a Director of iOmniscient Pvt. Ltd. This company has developed patented software technology for automated, intelligent, camera-based surveillance systems. The company won the Engineers Australia National Engineering Excellence Award in 2010, and numerous other international awards.
Dr. Marlene Kanga has represented Australian engineers in various international fora including the World Engineering Conventions and the APEC Women Leaders Forum. She is a member of the Executive Board of the International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) and has organised the first meeting of the INWES Asia Pacific Nation Network (APNN) for women engineers and scientists. She represents Engineers Australia at the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO).
A leader in her own right, Dr. Marlene Kanga speaks extensively on behalf of the profession in Australia and internationally. She believes effective communication of complex technical issues is critical for engineers as they need to engage in the policy debate with government, the media and the broader community to discuss the important contributions engineers make to modern life and the issues for which engineers deliver solutions such as population, resources management, climate change, and sustainability.