Global technology company has extended its partnership with Swinburne University of Technology to offer two more scholarships through the Avanade Women in STEM Scholarship program for first year students.
Four Swinburne students from the inaugural scholarship intake in 2020 continue to enjoy the benefits of the program, which provides financial support of $5,000 per year over four years, as well as internship opportunities, career coaching and mentoring by Avanade Australia. Scholarship recipients may also be offered graduate placements with Avanade upon completion of their degree.
Swinburne’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Pascale Quester said that Swinburne has a strong reputation for developing strong STEM skills in aspiring learners and leaders.
“Swinburne has a strong culture of gender equity and inclusion. We are committed to encouraging the brightest women and girls in pursuing STEM and advancing Australia’s competitive capability in these fields. The Avanade scholarships will help ensure these women can be supported, nurtured and inspired,” Professor Quester said.
The scholarship program is for student applications and closes 31 March 2022. Female students enrolled in an eligible course across engineering, science, computer science and IT are encouraged to apply.
Supporting our STEM leaders
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional) student, Matifadza Mukodi, was recently awarded the Avanade Women in STEM scholarship at Swinburne and told Swinburne she was overjoyed to have received it.
“This scholarship is not just about money, but allowing a student like myself to reach their full potential. The support I have received this year from Avanade and the team has been incredible. I look forward to what the future holds,” she said.
“Through this scholarship I was given opportunity to further explore my degree outside of class and talk with those in industry and expand my network. All of these will for sure help me achieve my personal career aspirations and open new doors.
“[The scholarship] gave me time. Time that I would have been working extra hours at a job, time I would have found myself stressed trying to afford school supplies and textbooks, time I would have not been able to excel at my studies and additionally take on my volunteer positions at both OzHarvest and as a student tutor for Swinburne. I have achieved a lot this year, I was able to overcome a lot of difficulties that came my way and prioritise my education and passions. I believe it is because I had the time to do so – all thanks to the scholarship,” Ms Mukodi said.
Scholarships designed for career success
Avanade’s global STEM Scholarship program is designed to enable young people, especially young women, to achieve more through the power of people and digital innovation. To date, the program has to pursue their dream STEM careers. Swinburne is the only university in Australia offering Avanade’s STEM scholarships.
Carol Gobby, Corporate Citizenship and Non-profit Industry Lead, Avanade Australia, said: “We share a mutual desire with Swinburne to help more people access the opportunities and benefits of technology and education. As we navigate through this period of uncertainty, we believe STEM skills will be pivotal to the ongoing recovery and rapid pace of change. We want to make a genuine human impact by helping to improve the diversity within those sectors across Australia – ensuring as many people as possible are trained and ready for the jobs of the future.”
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