UCL commits to offering STEM scholarships for women

LAURIE CHEN REPORTS ON UCL’S PARTICIPATION IN A NEW GLOBAL STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

UCL has announced that it will be one of the first universities to take part in a new global scholarship programme aimed specifically at women studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) degrees. The initiative is sponsored by Avanade, a business technology consultancy firm. Officially named ’15 for 15′, the scheme will initially award 15 STEM scholarships to women students from universities around the world to celebrate the firm’s 15-year anniversary.

Two other institutions, California State Polytechnic University and the University of Pretoria, have also committed to the programme so far alongside UCL. Avanade plans to award a total of almost $500,000 towards the scholarships across a period of five years, which will reportedly benefit at least 45 students during that time. The scholarships will also encompass a ‘dedicated support structure‘ of internships, mentoring and work experience for the successful recipients, who will be selected based on a variety of criteria.

Avanade’s CEO, Adam Warby, said:

“I am personally committed to ensuring our people and our clients recognise the value of encouraging young women to pursue an education and a career in the IT sector. Students who may not necessarily have otherwise had the opportunity to finish their studies will benefit most greatly from this ongoing scholarship programme.”

For current and aspiring female STEM students at UCL, this measure will certainly be welcome news after the recent controversy surrounding the resignation of Tim Hunt from his post as Honorary Professor of Life Sciences after having made sexist comments at a conference.