| 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 (WiE) 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 today continues its commitment in reaching out to secondary schools in ways that are inclusive of the interests and capabilities of a diverse range of students 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.
WiE organises and runs interactive ‘hands on’ days for secondary students and also has a speakers program that makes school visits to help students better understand engineering and promote its opportunities as a course of study and career. WiE are also happy to be involved in school activities that encourage the participation and advancement of women in non traditional fields. WiE are also proud to announce that in 2010 a five year scholarship generously donated by the John Heine Memorial Foundation will be awarded to a student commencing their studies in an undergraduate engineering degree who demonstrates financial need. Applications are
open as of September 14 and close on December 1, 2009. See our High School Students Page for more information. WiE 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 and adjust to university life. WiE are able to provide support,
referrals and information, academic assistance and liaison with staff,
for current female UTS engineering students. There are also a number of
scholarships for female engineering students at different stages of
their course, including those offered by: WiE also run and are involved in events for female students and staff from around the faculty and women in the engineering profession to meet and network. See our UTS Students and Staff Page for more information. There are various avenues through which you can connect with WiE. WiE are always looking to build relationships with high schools in and around Sydney to further our outreach activities and to contribute to school and youth initiatives that improve the status of women in non traditional fields. WiE can not run its program without the help of student volunteers as well as UTS staff who are kind enough to offer their time to make our projects successful. WiE are also appreciative of our industry partners who enable a professional network to communicate with secondary and UTS students and contribute to the professional development of these young women. WiE also have a group facebook page – Women in Engineering@UTS (WiE). You can also follow WiE’s activities on our blog http://www.utswomeninengineering.blogspot.com AUTUMN SPRING |
