Project to support women in Science, Engineering and Technology

A networking lunch for women in Engineering and Surveying was held at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) on Wednesday, 20 February 2008 as part of a broader effort to build support for female students studying in these fields.

External students attending residential schools mixed with academics at the lunch which was part of the Go Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (GO WEST) project.

GO WEST is a USQ equity funded project to mentor female students and staff in non-traditional areas of study.

Project Coordinator and President of the USQ Women's Network Inc. Dr Jacqui McDonald said GO WEST was designed to provide support and networking opportunities to women in Engineering, Science and Technology.

'Through the GO WEST project we aim to establish links between USQ students, staff and professionals in Sciences, Engineering and Technology in rural and remote areas,' Dr McDonald said.

'Women in these areas are very under-represented. We are aiming to build networks to support them and provide a digital network where they can keep in contact.

'Through the project we are looking at holding information sessions, networking with industry and linking industry bodies and associations such as the Society for Engineers and the Queensland Government Office for Women with student groups.'

President of the Women in Engineering and Surveying (WIES) club, Nikki Mead, attended the lunch and said the GO WEST project was a great initiative to assist women in the non-traditional fields.

WIES Club plans to support female students in their study at USQ.

'Part of the process will involve establishing a mentor system for first-year women in these areas,' Miss Mead said.

'A lot of girls find the first year of study full-on. If they had mentors to ask questions of they could find out that once you're in second and third year it gets easier.'

Dr McDonald said the GO WEST initiative will also work towards encouraging women to enter non-traditional areas of study.

'The project is a pilot – we wanted to start with USQ students to make USQ a place where female students feel accepted and supported and then help make the University a more attractive place for female students to go into those areas.'

For more information on the GO WEST project visit the website or contact Dr Jacqui McDonald on (07) 4631 2314.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559