The Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland (BPEQ) has announced a $12,000 partnership with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
BPEQ, the state’s engineering supervisory body, will provide funding over two years for QUT’s Women in Engineering (WiE) Alumni Network and the student organisation, Girls in Engineering Making Statements (GEMS).
BPEQ Chairman Dawson Wilkie said the partnership would deliver a significant boost to women studying and practicing engineering.
“Earlier this year BPEQ started a discussion with our female registered professional engineers (RPEQs), asking them for their personal experiences and ideas on ways to promote and support women in engineering,” said Mr Wilkie.
“The major issue emanating from these discussions was the lack of attention on helping keep women in engineering, be it studying or at a mid-point in their career.
“Working with QUT, WiE and GEMS we will be able to more actively engage female engineers and support them with the right knowledge, experience and tools to keep them in the profession”.
Deryn Vahl-Meyer, QUT Science and Engineering Faculty’s Assistant Dean for International and Engagement said the partnership would be mutually beneficial for all parties.
“QUT has a strong reputation for producing outstanding engineering graduates, and this partnership demonstrates our combined commitment to encouraging and supporting women in engineering,” said Ms Vahl-Meyer.