| Women in Engineering | |||
Introduction: Why Women in Engineering? The engineering profession in Australia has traditionally attracted few women. Currently women represent around 6 per cent of practising professional engineers and 15 per cent of enrolments in engineering degree courses nationally. The Women in Engineering Program was first established at UTS to improve this rate of participation by communicating a broadened concept of engineering to secondary students. This experience led to the development of curriculum resources on teaching technology for girls. The Program now communicates with secondary schools in ways that are inclusive of the interests and capabilities of a diverse range of students, especially women, and also works to address educational, cultural and professional barriers that inhibit the contribution of women to the engineering profession. The Program is recognised in engineering education and professional spheres by its inauguration of the Annual Australasian Women in Engineering Forum, for its initiatives in curriculum development; and its contributions to the groundbreaking National Review of Engineering Education. It has strongly influenced the philosophy of engineering at UTS, and has been a catalyst for many innovations in the BE DipEngPrac curriculum. The Faculty has the highest proportion of women academic staff of any Australian engineering faculty. They include past coordinators of the Program who contribute to the task of promoting the involvement of women in the course, in the Faculty and in research at UTS.
We are able to provide support, referrals and information, academic assistance and liaison with staff, if you find you need it. There are also a number of scholarships for female engineering students at different stages of their course, including those offered by,
We invite new students to engineering to participate in the WiEMentor Program. This gives you the chance to connect with a 'practical friend' from your field of practice to help find your way in your course. Please email Francesca Joesoep if you are in first year and would like to have a WiEMentor, it's not too late! If you are in higher years and would like to volunteer to help out a younger student whilst settling in to the difficulties of uni life email Francesca as well! In the email you should tell her your Name, Student ID, Major and Contact number, and she will get back to you with the details of your Mentee! We also run events for female students and staff from around the faculty and women in the engineering profession to meet and network (see the 2008 Calendar). Throughout the year, WiE runs interactive programs for high school students, especially girls and young women, to introduce them to, and capture their interest in engineering. The success of these programs depends on the contribution of volunteers. If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming opportunities to volunteer, you should contact Francesca Joesoep. As a student volunteer you will earn PSP points, which can be credited towards your degree via the elective subject Professional Service Project (PSP). To find out more, visit the Professional Service Project information page on the UTS:Engineering website and follow the link to Register as a Volunteer. If you have ideas for events, we may be able to help you organise! · WiE & Friends Welcome Party: Tuesday, March 18, 12:30pm-2:00pm · WiEMentor Workshop: Wednesday, March 19, 1:20pm-2:00pm · Hands On Engineering Day: Wednesday, May 14th, 8:30am-3:15pm · SWIEIT Speakers Program: May, then August-September · End of Semester Party: Wednesday, May 28, 12:30pm-2:00pm · WiEMentor Debrief: Wednesday, May 28, 1:20pm-2:00pm · IIWE Seminar, Paris: July 5-28 · WiE Spring Welcome Party: Wednesday August 13, 12.30pm-2.00pm
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