The legacy of Dr. Nalini Murthy (PhD’72) will live on through a new scholarship established by her husband, Mr. Sim Murthy (MEng’69), to encourage females pursing a career in engineering.

Dr. Nalini Murthy (PhD’72) became the first female engineer to register with the Association of Professional Engineers (APENS) in 1970.

Born in India, Dr. Murthy arrived in Nova Scotia in 1967, to earn a doctorate degree at the Nova Scotia Technical College (NSTC). She then pursued a career in teaching all the while raising two young sons.

At a time when engineering was very much a male-dominated profession, she became the first female engineer to register with the Association of Professional Engineers (now known as Engineers Nova Scotia), receiving her registration certificate on November 20, 1970 – the 50^thanniversary of APENS.

Hosted by the CEO of Engineers Nova Scotia and attended by several female members, Dr. Murthy’s remarkable career was honoured during a special luncheon held earlier this fall. Her photo was unveiled in the Engineers Nova Scotia boardroom where it will hang to commemorate her achievements.

A photo commemorating the life of Dr. Nalini Murthy was unveiled by Mr. Sim Murthy, Len White, CEO of Engineers Nova Scotia and several of its members in the Engineers Nova Scotia boardroom, fall 2018.

“It is very nice to see a photo of Dr. Nalini Murthy hanging in the boardroom,” said Mr. Murthy who travelled from Ontario to attend the special event. “It is an honour for her memory and all of us – her family, friends and fellow engineers. Nalini, besides being an outstanding engineer was also a mother, friend and colleague for the fellow college teachers, employees and students at the different institutions where she worked.”

The Nalini Murthy Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Engineering to a female engineering student. The first recipient will be selected in the fall, 2019.