Recognizing Excellence in African Real Estate and Gender Equality
Catherine Warue Kariuki, a senior Lecturer at the Department of Real Estate, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying at the Faculty of Built and Design received the Dr. Gisela Schulte Memorial Award for Women in African Real Estate. Catherine was awarded during the Gala Dinner – AfRES conference on 15th September 2023. The Award includes a cash prize of US$2,000 and is funded by the IRE|BS Foundation for African Real Estate Research, which uses donations received after Dr Gisela Schulte’s passing by donors from all over the world.
A Tribute to Dr. Gisela Schulte
Established in 2019 by the IRE|BS Foundation for African Real Estate Research, the Dr. Gisela Schulte Memorial Award aims to honor exceptional research, outstanding contributions by women to African real estate education and research, and the advancement of gender equality within the field. This award is a tribute to the remarkable legacy of Dr. Gisela Schulte, who made significant contributions to both academia and practice in African real estate before her untimely passing in March 2019.
Catherine Warue Kariuki's Remarkable Journey
Catherine Warue Kariuki's journey to this esteemed award is marked by unwavering dedication and relentless advocacy for women in real estate research and education. Her involvement with AfRES dates back to its inception in 1997, and since 2010, she has been a consistent presence at the annual AfRES Conferences, demonstrating her deep commitment to the organization.
One of Catherine's outstanding achievements has been her mentorship and supervision of numerous female students and researchers within the Department of Real Estate, Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying at the University of Nairobi's Faculty of the Built Environment and Design, where she has served as a lecturer for over 30 years.
Catherine's contributions extend beyond academia; she has actively participated in various programs organized by the Global Women in Real Estate (GWIRE). This involvement culminated in the creation of a GWIRE publication tailored to highlight the contributions of women in real estate.
Through her dedication and networking, Catherine successfully secured funding to support women's participation in East Africa AfRES Chapter meetings and the annual AfRES Meetings, garnering recognition from African real estate scholars. Her efforts also led to a special collaboration between AfRES and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the real estate profession.
Catherine Warue Kariuki served as the First Female President of AfRES, leaving a lasting impact on the organization. Her leadership paved the way for the establishment of the AfRES Women in Real and Surveying (AWIRES), where she continues to serve as the current patron. This initiative has created new opportunities for women in real estate research and education.
As a renowned real estate scholar and lecturer, Catherine has made significant contributions to the field through her extensive publications and academic papers. Her work reflects her competence as a scholar, academician, and mentor to young female real estate practitioners who have been recognized with AfRES awards during previous conferences.
Catherine's organizational skills and dedication were evident during the 22nd AfRES Conference held from September 12 to 15, 2023, at the UoN Towers at the University of Nairobi. She played a pivotal role in securing full sponsorship for the Women's Dinner from RICS, an event that provides valuable mentorship opportunities for young female professionals attending the conference.
A Champion for Educational Opportunities
Catherine's influence extended to the academic realm, where she played a pivotal role in providing opportunities for academic staff and undergraduate students within the Department of Real Estate, Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying. Her editorial role in the book "Understanding African Real Estate Markets," edited by Professor Aly Karam and Catherine Kariuki, enabled the inclusion of three book chapters authored by academic staff members.
Additionally, Catherine successfully arranged sponsorship for students to attend various annual AfRES Conferences, furthering their education and professional development. Her instrumental role in granting the EA AfRES Chapter the opportunity to host the 22nd Annual Conference of AfRES in Nairobi in 2023 underscored her commitment to advancing African real estate research and education.
Advocacy at the Highest Levels
Catherine's dedication to AfRES and her tireless advocacy reached its pinnacle when she effectively presented AfRES's case to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, securing the prestigious Chandaria Auditorium at the UoN Towers as the venue for the 2023 Annual Conference.
In conclusion, Catherine Warue Kariuki's remarkable journey, commitment to gender equality, and exceptional contributions to African real estate research and education exemplify the spirit of the Dr. Gisela Schulte Memorial Award for Women in African Real Estate. Her tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on the field and continue to open doors for the next generation of female real estate professionals and researchers. Catherine's achievements serve as an inspiration and a testament to the potential of women in the African real estate industry.
Dr Gisela Schulte Memorial Award
The Award is in memory of the extensive work and contributions of Dr Gisela Schulte to both real estate academia and practice in Africa, who passed away too early in March 2019. Dr Gisela Schulte was a co-founder and Managing Director of the IRE|BS Real Estate Academy and a co-founder and long-term supporter of the IRE|BS Foundation for African Real Estate Research.
Dr Gisela Schulte-Daxboek
The Award includes a cash prize of US$2,000 and is funded by the IRE|BS Foundation for African Real Estate Research, which uses donations received after Dr Gisela Schulte’s passing by donors from all over the world.
The Award is generally presented once a year. Applications that meet the award regulation criteria should be submitted to info@afrer.org by June 30th of each year.
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