University of Southern Queensland’s Mechanical Engineering Lecturer Steven Goh believes the engineering industry would benefit from a little more estrogen.
Mr Goh will be speaking to a group of about 100 female Year 9 and 10 students at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane on International Women’s Day (March 8) about the opportunities available in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Mr Goh’s position as Queensland President of Engineers Australia and ambassador of the Women in Hard Hat’s initiative has seen him talk at schools, universities and workplaces about the importance of gender equity and diversity in typically male-dominated industries.
‘To be successful at engineering requires good communication, creativity, innovation, critical and analytical thinking and the ability to find and solve problems; attributes that females are very capable of excelling in,’ Mr Goh said.
‘Currently, about 15 percent of our intake of engineering students are female, while work place participation for females is only about 10 percent.
‘It is my goal to double that number over the next few years.
‘Gender diversity improves productivity, creativity, innovation, safety and income and you also see less bullying and harassment in the workplace.’
Joining Mr Goh at the International Women’s Day breakfast presentation will be Queensland Minister for Women Karen Struthers.
‘A lot of people, especially women, don’t realise the many and varied career opportunities that exist in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,’ Mr Goh said.
‘There are plenty of remote communities that really need the help of skilled engineers right now.
‘Engineers have the power to shape the world.’
Contact Details:
Callum Johnson, USQ Media, +61 7 46 31 1163
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