SFI tackles science 'gender imbalance'

14-11-2006

by Ciara O'Brien

Science is still suffering from a gender imbalance, with fewer women than men opting for careers in the sector.

According to CAO statistics, although there are more girls than boys taking Leaving Certificate science subjects, less than 15 percent of students who accept places on four-year engineering degree courses are female.

"There is severe gender imbalance among students taking university engineering courses. I am confident that in the long-term these talented female students will act as mentors for others to consider undertaking careers in science and engineering," said Mark Keane, director general, Science Foundation Ireland.

"Engineering degrees provide a wide career choice and I would encourage female leaving certificate students to look at all of the options available to them."

SFI is attempting to address this imbalance through a number of initiatives, one of which was the Science Foundation Ireland/Dell - Young Women in Engineering Scholarships, launched last year.

The winners of the inaugural awards were announced on Tuesday, in a ceremony in Dublin. Each of the 10 recipients received an annual EUR2,000 award, a Dell Precision M20 notebook computer; a research active mentor throughout their undergraduate career; and the opportunity to take up a research internship in university or industry over the summer.

Awarding the prizes, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin described the prizes as a "terrific first step" towards addressing the imbalance.

"These awards are aimed at attracting and encouraging more high-achieving young women into third-level education in engineering disciplines. There is a clear and unequivocal case for increasing the participation of women in science, engineering and technology in Ireland," Minister Martin said.

"Proactive steps, such as this sponsorship programme will help to ensure that talented, innovative and driven young women will channel their energies into ICT, something that is important for the future growth and development of the sector," Nicky Hartery, vice president of manufacturing, Dell.

The scheme has proven so successful that the 2007 awards are now taking applications. The scheme is open to female applicants who have completed the Irish Leaving Certificate either in the year they are applying to third-level education or in the previous year, providing they meet the grade requirement.