The Suez Cement Group of Companies (SCGC) will hold its third international arcVision contest on 7 March, with Egyptian architect Manar Moursi representing Egypt. The initiative, launched in 2013, aims to promote women that introduce innovative, theoretical and practical designs through their work in the architectural field. "The arcVision Award is truly a rare opportunity to celebrate the contribution of women architects in the field. It is an honour to be shortlisted for this prestigious award and to be amongst some of the most talented designers in the world," Moursi said. The all-female jury will meet on 5 and 7 March to select the winner. The jury includes member of the board of the Arab International Women's Forum (AIWF) Shaikha Al-Maskari, Mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun, and ambassador of WE-Women for Expo Daria Bignardi, alongside other established architects. Italcementi CEO Carlo Pesenti said the initiative "recognises innovative, sustainable and social ideas and projects that incorporate beauty and functionality in construction and housing". Pesenti added the award "puts the spotlight on a ‘feminine' vision of architecture combining technology and environment, materials and form, style and efficiency to regenerate the city and the community". The prize includes a two-week research project and workshop at i.lab, the italcementi Group Research and Innovation Centre, and a €50,000 monetary award. The winner may decide to donate part of the monetary prize to the social architecture programme of his choice. Italcementi Group is the principal shareholder of Suez Cement, together with a consortium of local and international investors.
