NEBOSH bursary names 20 women for 2026 safety qualification

by Featured NewsHealth and Safety

NEBOSH bursary winners announced for 2026

NEBOSH has announced the twenty recipients of the 2026 NEBOSH L’Oréal International Bursary: Enabling women in health and safety.

The bursary is run in partnership with L’Oréal and covers paid-for study and assessment fees for the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety for twenty women based internationally.

The 2026 winners are Lisa Mangwende, Leocadie Offukoh, Anastasia Mbagwu, Gladys Israel, Ana Zarir Fatikha Anwar, Iyanuoluwa Ayinde, Manyara Chaitika, Franca Adaaku Chukwuma, Ximena Victoria Rios Palacios, Nompendulo Lukhele, Sufia Tehseen, Malebo Matlala, Nosagiagbon Obasuyi, Lilian Ijeoma Ejim, Linda Onyia, Bridgette Ann Mabato, Charity Nkereuwem-Sunday, Zsuzsa Szomolayni, Tasmin Alkderat and Nandile Ncombo.

They represent South Africa, Nigeria, Indonesia, Zimbawbwe, Mexico, Eswatini, Pakistan, Qatar, Germany and Jordan.

Applications and responses to the NEOBSH bursary

NEBOSH said the bursary received over 2000 applications from women around the world who want to build their learning, develop their careers and influence workplace health and safety.

The judges selected applicants based on what NEBOSH described as genuine and emotive stories, clear passion for protecting colleagues and communities, energetic delivery, strong communication skills and video submissions that held attention.

Lisa Mangwende said: “Receiving the NEBOSH L’Oreal Bursary is truly an honour, and l am deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity.

“This bursary is going to remove a lot of barriers for me and makes what once felt out of reach, now realistic.

“It is an investment in my future and a vote of confidence in my potential.

“l am genuinely excited about the journey ahead and committed to making the most of this opportunity, not only for my own career growth, but to bring greater value to the people and organisations l will serve”.

Malcolm Staves, Global Vice President of Health & Safety, said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with NEBOSH in giving world recognized health and safety qualifications to women working in health and safety in developing countries.

“By offering women the opportunity to obtain a NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety we are giving them a boost to their career, helping them be future fit and giving them the tools to excel and make a difference.

“#bethehummingbird”

The 2026 bursary provides funded access to the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety for twenty women.

NEBOSH and Bapco Energies launch Middle East HSE stakeholder community

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyMiddle East - Breaking News

NEBOSH and Bapco Energies convene regional HSE leaders

NEBOSH has partnered with Bapco Energies to launch a new VIP Health, Safety and Environment stakeholder community for senior leaders from across the Middle East, with the inaugural meeting held on Monday 17 November 2025 at the Bapco Club in Awali.

The organisations said the community has been set up to advance occupational health and safety practice across the region by creating a structured forum for dialogue between industry and education.

The event was co-chaired by Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, Acting Managing Director of Bapco Energies and Chief Executive Officer of Bapco Refining, and Andy Shenstone, Chief Executive of NEBOSH.

According to the organisers, the initiative is intended to encourage ongoing collaboration, promote shared learning on HSE topics and address common challenges facing the region’s HSE professionals.

Expert sessions cover industry, education and contractor safety

The inaugural meeting included expert-led sessions on risk tolerance in high-hazard environments and the influence of human factors on safety performance.

Participants also heard lessons drawn from the Bapco Modernization Program, including how large-scale investment projects can affect HSE management.

NEBOSH outlined its strategic vision for qualifications and training in the region, focusing on how programmes can align with changing expectations from employers and regulators.

Sessions also examined the role of environment, health and safety in higher education, the evolving needs of industry and approaches to managing contractor safety.

Industry and academic contributors share Middle East HSE perspectives

NEBOSH reported that the meeting brought together contributors from a range of regional organisations.

Industry representation included Dr Aissam from Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, along with Mohamed Ebrahim and Ms Maram Al Sabbagh from Bapco Refining.

Regulatory and advisory input came from Dr Waddah S Ghanem Al Hashmi of the Federal OSH Committee – UAE and Dr Chitram Lutchman of OEMS Erudite Corp.

Academic and broader industry perspectives were provided by Dr Rahaf Ajaj of Abu Dhabi University and Mr Hari Kumar of ENOC.

The agenda also included a roundtable discussion on collaboration opportunities among these stakeholders.

Discussion topics covered how to ensure NEBOSH courses reflect emerging regional demands and how partnerships between industry and education can be strengthened.

NEBOSH outlines long-term commitment to Middle East HSE

NEBOSH said the new stakeholder community is intended as a long-term mechanism to keep its qualifications and services aligned with Middle East HSE requirements.

The organisation highlighted that feedback from the stakeholder forums will help shape future programme development and delivery across the region.

Andy Shenstone, Chief Executive of NEBOSH, emphasised: “NEBOSH is dedicated to supporting the Middle East’s HSE community with world-class qualifications and training tailored to local needs.

“This stakeholder community is a vital step in ensuring our programmes remain relevant and impactful.”

How the NEBOSH initiative supports HSE practice

The new stakeholder community focuses on issues such as risk tolerance, human factors and contractor safety that are central to the work of HSE leaders in high-hazard industries.

For oil and gas safety officers, petrochemical and refining fire chiefs and emergency and disaster response managers, the sessions on the Bapco Modernization Program provide case-based insight into managing HSE during major capital projects.

Training officers, instructors and fire engineering consultants can use the outcomes of the roundtable discussions to understand how NEBOSH intends to adapt courses to regional expectations around competence and accreditation.

For academic partners, including those involved in environment, health and safety teaching, the emphasis on EHS in higher education shows how universities can align curricula with practical industry needs in the Middle East.

The participation of organisations such as Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, Bapco Refining, ENOC and Abu Dhabi University indicates that the community is intended to operate as a shared forum for ongoing dialogue rather than a single one-off event.