Menu
05/07/2022
New Fund Announced To Support Women Study Engineering
Women and girls are being encouraged to apply for a new £15,000 bursary to support the study of engineering or related subjects across the UK and Ireland.
The bursaries are one element of the £500,000 Northern Ireland Engineering Education Programme, funded by the Department for the Economy. Other measures being funded include grants of up to £3,000 to schools and further education colleges to help purchase engineering teaching resources, and STEM challenge days for students to excite, inspire, and stimulate interest.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Minister met with the Chair of the DfE Women in STEM Steering Group, Dr Bryan Keating CBE, at Netherleigh to discuss the programme, which was endorsed by the steering group.
Announcing the scheme Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am delighted that my Department is supporting this programme. It is well known that women and girls, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are massively underrepresented in engineering-related study areas and, in turn, career paths. This is an inequality that we must work to address and the NI Engineering Education Programme will help achieve this.
"These bursaries are targeted specifically at women and girls who are seeking to pursue a course of engineering-related study at higher education level and who, without this support, may not be able to meet the costs of doing so. I want to remove as many barriers as possible for these women and girls."
The Minister continued: "The programme is being supported by £500,000 of funding through my Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan (ERAP), which we put in place in direct response to the impact of the pandemic. These supports also align well with our 10X Economic Vision for a decade of innovation as we seek to position Northern Ireland as one of the world’s leading small economies in the future.
"I encourage women and girls who are eligible to look into these bursaries and apply – it could be the springboard to an exciting and fulfilling career in engineering."
Gillian Gregg, Head of Regional Engagement at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: "We are thrilled that the Department for the Economy is supporting this programme. Women represent only around 16% of Northern Ireland-domiciled engineering and technology students at UK universities. This underrepresentation in higher education impacts the profession, with a similar small proportion of those working in engineering – under one in five – being women, according to EngineeringUK.
"We are excited for this opportunity to support more women and girls from all backgrounds to pursue engineering studies and to encourage greater diversity among future engineers."
Eligibility criteria for applicants include at least one parent being eligible for state benefits, or the applicant being continuously eligible for free school meals in their post-16 studies.
Applications are open until 4pm on Monday 25 July 2022.
The bursaries are one element of the £500,000 Northern Ireland Engineering Education Programme, funded by the Department for the Economy. Other measures being funded include grants of up to £3,000 to schools and further education colleges to help purchase engineering teaching resources, and STEM challenge days for students to excite, inspire, and stimulate interest.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Minister met with the Chair of the DfE Women in STEM Steering Group, Dr Bryan Keating CBE, at Netherleigh to discuss the programme, which was endorsed by the steering group.
Announcing the scheme Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am delighted that my Department is supporting this programme. It is well known that women and girls, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are massively underrepresented in engineering-related study areas and, in turn, career paths. This is an inequality that we must work to address and the NI Engineering Education Programme will help achieve this.
"These bursaries are targeted specifically at women and girls who are seeking to pursue a course of engineering-related study at higher education level and who, without this support, may not be able to meet the costs of doing so. I want to remove as many barriers as possible for these women and girls."
The Minister continued: "The programme is being supported by £500,000 of funding through my Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan (ERAP), which we put in place in direct response to the impact of the pandemic. These supports also align well with our 10X Economic Vision for a decade of innovation as we seek to position Northern Ireland as one of the world’s leading small economies in the future.
"I encourage women and girls who are eligible to look into these bursaries and apply – it could be the springboard to an exciting and fulfilling career in engineering."
Gillian Gregg, Head of Regional Engagement at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: "We are thrilled that the Department for the Economy is supporting this programme. Women represent only around 16% of Northern Ireland-domiciled engineering and technology students at UK universities. This underrepresentation in higher education impacts the profession, with a similar small proportion of those working in engineering – under one in five – being women, according to EngineeringUK.
"We are excited for this opportunity to support more women and girls from all backgrounds to pursue engineering studies and to encourage greater diversity among future engineers."
Eligibility criteria for applicants include at least one parent being eligible for state benefits, or the applicant being continuously eligible for free school meals in their post-16 studies.
Applications are open until 4pm on Monday 25 July 2022.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Police Recover Suspected Firearm In Strabane Police recovered a suspected firearm yesterday during a search outside Strabane town in County Tyrone. Detectives from the Police Service's Terrorism Investigation Unit, who are investigating the activities of the New IRA, made the discovery.
Other News In Brief
Police Recover Suspected Firearm In Strabane Police recovered a suspected firearm yesterday during a search outside Strabane town in County Tyrone. Detectives from the Police Service's Terrorism Investigation Unit, who are investigating the activities of the New IRA, made the discovery.
17 July 2014
£6.8m Engineering Competence Centre Established
A new £6.8m Advanced Engineering Competence Centre has been established in Northern Ireland. Based at the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites & Engineering Centre (NIACE) on Airport Road, Belfast, the new competence centre will focus on developing solutions in the advanced engineering sector.
£6.8m Engineering Competence Centre Established
A new £6.8m Advanced Engineering Competence Centre has been established in Northern Ireland. Based at the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites & Engineering Centre (NIACE) on Airport Road, Belfast, the new competence centre will focus on developing solutions in the advanced engineering sector.
05 October 2012
NI Receives First Heritage Award
Northern Ireland has received its first ever Engineering Heritage award. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) announced Northern Ireland would be the recipient of its 76th award in recognition of an experimental aircraft built in Belfast. The award is given in recognition of significant engineering achievements.
NI Receives First Heritage Award
Northern Ireland has received its first ever Engineering Heritage award. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) announced Northern Ireland would be the recipient of its 76th award in recognition of an experimental aircraft built in Belfast. The award is given in recognition of significant engineering achievements.
27 June 2024
New Shankill Shared Women's Centre Opens
The new Shankill Shared Women's Centre, a purpose-built shared women's centre close to the peace wall at Lanark Way in west Belfast, has officially opened. The EU PEACE IV-funded centre will provide a broad range of services and support for women and their families from all community backgrounds.
New Shankill Shared Women's Centre Opens
The new Shankill Shared Women's Centre, a purpose-built shared women's centre close to the peace wall at Lanark Way in west Belfast, has officially opened. The EU PEACE IV-funded centre will provide a broad range of services and support for women and their families from all community backgrounds.
13 November 2024
Women Urged To Share Health Experiences In New Survey
Women across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey designed to gather insights into their health needs and experiences. The Women's Health Survey for Northern Ireland, part-funded by the Department of Health, is the first step in a broader public listening exercise aimed at improving women's healthcare services.
Women Urged To Share Health Experiences In New Survey
Women across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to participate in a new survey designed to gather insights into their health needs and experiences. The Women's Health Survey for Northern Ireland, part-funded by the Department of Health, is the first step in a broader public listening exercise aimed at improving women's healthcare services.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
