Women in Engineering
Macquarie Women In Engineering
Macquarie University is a champion of diversity and has a higher representation of academic women in senior levels (with 31.9% at professor and associate professor level) than the Australian universities average (see 2013 and 2014 data from Universities Australia)
In June 2016, Macquarie University joined the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Pilot in supporting the promotion, hiring, participation and retention of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM)
The Department of Engineering has a Macquarie University Women in Engineering (MQ WIE) leadership group to support and encourage the undergraduate female students. The group is comprised of women academics, staff and students and it works to
- provide additional networking opportunities and role models for female students,
- support academics, tutors and students to address the issues related to diversity and equity,
- proactively address potential causes of unconscious bias where they exist,
- support other “Women in STEMM” and “Women in Engineering” activities, such as IEEE WIE and Engineers Australia WIE
.
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Student Profiles
Here are some of our students who have achieved great things and inspired us all.
Sumiya Sultan
Bachelor of Engineering, Macquarie University
I have always enjoyed
complex mathematics and physics, and so when I was thinking about what I’d like
to do at uni, I knew it had to be a practical and challenging degree.
Engineering was a perfect match. Macquarie was also a perfect match. Macquarie
builds their graduates with not just knowledge but also employability – the
engineering program is designed around what industry looks for in an
engineering graduate.
Macquarie also has strong engineering partnerships in Australia and around the
world. With the help of the PACE (Professional and Community Engagement)
program, I’ve been able to take all the things I’m learning in class and put
them into practice in a real workplace. This means when I graduate I won’t just
have my degree, I’ll also have a whole lot of practical experience in my chosen
field of study.
One of the things I’ve found especially great about Macquarie’s engineering
course is that while I was required to choose a major in my first year – I’ve
chosen Electronics Engineering – I was still able to experience all fields of
engineering in that first year. Knowing this really took the pressure off, because
while I knew in high school that I wanted to do engineering, I didn’t have a
firm idea about the exact career I wanted.
Another great thing about Macquarie is how interested they’ve been in helping
me develop skills like leadership and networking. The support I’ve had gave me
the confidence to get involved in the Women in Science and Engineering campaign
in 2014. The campaign helps women to consider technical degrees as an option,
and
also supports the existing female cohort.
Since then, so many amazing things have been happening for me.
I've represented Macquarie and Australia at an international engineering
delegation in China, secured an a graduate role with Schneider Electric,
founded Macquarie’s Women in Science and Engineering group, and been selected
as one of the Top100 Future Leaders of Australia by GradConnection.
There’s so much opportunity at Macquarie. If you’re passionate about something,
Macquarie will support you. The sky really is the limit.
Internships, Scholarship and Awards
We sometimes receive invitations to internships, scholarships and awards specific to women in engineering. We will list them here:
Paid Internship Opportunity for Women Undergraduate Students in Engineering
The Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF) organisation provides a forum for successful female professionals in financial services and related industries. A key need for the industry is to attract talented female science and engineering students who not being attracted to the industry, nor supported as young or middle-management professionals. For more information, please click here. The deadline for the application is 15 May 2016.
Women in Engineering Sydney Division Scholarship Award Program by Engineers Australia
The WIE Sydney Division is granting two $500 scholarships to eligible undergraduate female engineering students currently studying at NSW universities.
Please click here to apply, the due date is 12 September 2016.
Inspiring Women in Engineering and Science
Here are some great stories about inspiring women. Please check them out:
Sara Rickards: The Sustainability Ninja at Macquarie University
The Australian Academy of Science has a project to publicise the careers of 6 pioneering women, please click here for more information.
Events
We will provide links to the events that are relevant to the Women in Engineering. Please let us know other relevant events if you would like to list below:
Engineers Australia Women in Engineering Student Conference (14 Jul 2016)
AusBiotech Advancing Women Program (5 July 2016 - 1 December 2016)