Tech Scholarships for Women Create Impact

November 29, 2019 VANCOUVER

For student Haley Waldhaus, enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Victoria, it was a role model who helped steer her toward her future.

“I found it difficult to imagine what a woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) would look like when I was growing up —no one said… ‘you should go into engineering’,” says Waldhaus. “It took a female science and mathematics teacher, to plant the engineering seed.”

Haley is one of 10 recipients of this year’s Women in Technology and Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarships awarded by the Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society. They all have similar stories to share and hope they can plant the seeds for future women interested in the study of computer/data science, engineering and mathematics.

The recipients receive more than just a $10,000 Scholarship, they are the architects of a community of women in engineering, computer/data sciences and mathematics to inspire and support each other as they advance their careers and pay it forward. As 2018 recipient Natella Jafarova explains, “The past year has had an immense impact on my life and career goals, partly because of the amazing opportunities associated with receiving a Women in Technology Scholarship. It has opened new doors for me.”
The Scholarships were presented at a ceremony held at Science World in Vancouver today.

Read the full media release.