The first recipient of Victoria University and City West Water’s Celebrating Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) scholarship has been announced.
Dawt Hnem Sung Sarum, nicknamed Nunu, was awarded the scholarship, which is valued at up to $15,000 over three years and is aimed at supporting the education of a future female engineer. It also includes mentoring by a senior female leader at City West Water.
Nunu, who is 19 years old and from Caroline Springs, arrived in Australia with her family as a refugee in 2014. The only woman in her Bachelor of Engineering class, Nunu was nominated for the scholarship by one of her lecturers after achieving outstanding first year results.
“I am delighted to receive the Celebrating Women in STEM Scholarship. It’s a great encouragement to keep doing well in my studies. I’m looking forward to learning about the water industry from my mentor at City West Water as well,” Nunu said.
Celebrating Women in STEM Scholarship is awarded in partnership with Victoria University and City West Water. The scholarship is designed to provide practical support for up to three years to an outstanding woman in engineering, through financial support and active mentoring by a senior female leader working in the STEM field at City West Water.
In addition to the winner, three runners-up for the scholarships will receive mentoring from a senior female leader at City West Water to encourage them to finish studies and support them in identifying possible career paths, for example, in the water industry.
City West Water’s Managing Director, David Ryan, said, “City West Water is committed to improving the representation of women both in the water industry and in other STEM related industries. Congratulations to our first scholarship recipient, Nunu, for her hard work and dedication to study so far.
“The scholarship, in partnership with Victoria University, brings together women with outstanding careers at City West Water with a new generation of women just starting out in their studies and careers. The majority of City West Water’s General Managers are women. Our hope is that, together, these women will foster talent, creativity and commitment to strengthen the representation of women in STEM.”
Victoria University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Dawkins AO, said, “At Victoria University, we know that the STEM field includes the best of our critical thinkers and innovators. However STEM still has a dire underrepresentation of women, and we are missing out on utilising the immense talent that currently exists.
“It is critically important that we empower women to be leaders in STEM, as a gender diverse STEM workforce is key to solving the world’s complex challenges.
“As a proud partner of City West Water and an institution that is committed to opportunity and success, VU is excited to support this wonderful initiative in our heartland, Melbourne’s West.”
