UNESCO and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations celebrate World Engineering Day on March 4. This year’s event was organized under the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development umbrella, bringing together policymakers, scientists, engineers, industry representatives, and international organizations to explore engineering’s transformative role.
Each year, engineering students collaborate to develop solutions that contribute to sustainable development.
Ilya Espino de Marotta has delivered keynote addresses to worldwide experts on the Panama Canal and its future impacts on global trade.
She is recognized for her signature pink construction helmet and safety vest, as she spearheaded the Panama Canal Expansion Program, culminating in the opening of a new waterway in 2017.
The expansion doubled the canal’s capacity for transporting cargo between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Allowing larger oil cargo ships to pass through the locks would significantly impact global markets.
This development has reduced overall maritime transport costs. The canal can now accommodate vessels as long as three football fields, which can carry twice the capacity of current cargo ships.
Ilya was appointed Panama Canal Deputy Administrator on February 15, 2019, and took office on January 1, 2020, making history as the first woman to hold this position.
Previously, she served as vice president for transit business and executive vice president for engineering during the Panama Canal Expansion Program.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in economic engineering from Universidad Santa María la Antigua in Panama City.
Additionally, she participated in the Executive Development Programs at INCAE Business School and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and holds a Project Management Certification from the Project Management Institute.
Ilya began her career at the Panama Canal in 1985 as the only female engineer in the Industrial Division shipyard.
Historically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the canal in the early 20th century and initiated plans to enlarge it just before World War II.
This was recognized as pivotal by industrial leaders worldwide, who understood that the canal allowed for a 50-mile waterway to bypass a dangerous 5,600-mile journey around the tip of South America, thus saving time and money for shippers and travelers between global ports.
Throughout the 20th century, the Panama Canal became essential for logistical planning in the U.S. and worldwide, and it remains so today.
In 2018, Hampton University students visited Panama City as part of an International Service Learning program. Students participated in three main activities in Panama, including immersing themselves in the culture of the Embera, who live in a village about an hour-long canoe ride away from Panama City.
They also helped prepare over 12,500 meals at a local food bank and visited the San Jose Malambo Orphanage, where they donated supplies and visited classrooms.
The students could also get an up-close tour of the Panama Canal.
“When touring the Panama Canal, I learned not just about the architectural design but also the history and how important it is to the citizens of Panama for its economy and relations to the global community,” said a Hampton University student.
Engineers take on some of the world’s most pressing issues, from tackling the climate crisis to improving access to clean water & energy.
More from @UNESCO on Tuesday’s #WorldEngineeringDay for Sustainable Development: https://t.co/02BzhzUGm7 pic.twitter.com/hf7Sc3JRVv
— United Nations (@UN) March 4, 2025
4 March is World Engineering Day, celebrating engineers' vital contributions to advancing sustainable development goals. Through their innovation and ingenuity, engineers are laying the foundation for a greener, healthier and more sustainable future. pic.twitter.com/ykG7ufIYNa
— IEEE (@IEEEorg) March 4, 2025
Join us in celebrating #WorldEngineeringDay and this year's theme, "Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals". For 75 years, SWE has been proud to highlight the achievements of engineers and how their work helps make our world a better place! pic.twitter.com/ZYKPJiCczt
— SWE (@SWEtalk) March 4, 2025
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