Wednesday 26th February 2025
Statue for Old Stamfordian
In November 2024, to commemorate National Engineering Day, Alice Kan (née Kenyon) (OS 98) became the first living engineer to be honoured with a statue. Alice led the team that established the AstraZeneca vaccine’s fill-finish manufacturing at Wockhardt during the pandemic, a key part of the UK’s Covid-19 response. The statue, located outside the Royal Academy of Engineering’s headquarters, highlights Alice’s contributions and the vital role of engineering.
Designed by artist Kelly Anna, the vibrant abstract design shows Alice gazing upward with hope, featuring dynamic blocks and shapes to represent her team-building skills. A pencil symbolizes her problem-solving spirit, and an oversized vial signifies her work on the Covid vaccine.
Speaking of the statue, Alice said: “Being honoured in statue form is a very surreal experience. I really hope it encourages people to understand more about engineering, what engineers do, and why it is a great career for anyone who’s got a curiosity for wanting to make things work better.”
This unveiling is part of the RAEng's broader effort to shift public perceptions and inspire the next generation of engineers. By showcasing role models like Alice, the academy aims to highlight engineering's real-world impact and encourage young people to explore the field.
Congratulations Alice!