Nokia Nuala Ward Prize

Nokia is a trusted partner for critical networks, committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world. Nokia is demonstrating this commitment through a multi-year, multi-tier strategy designed to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce with a clear focus on increasing female participation at all levels, from early career to executive.

The UTS Nokia Nuala Ward Award recognizes this focus on female inclusion and honours the memory of Nuala Ward, a celebrated business and technology leader and long term Nokia employee. The prize extends the existing UTS and Nokia relationships across many technology areas and importantly, the Lucy Mentoring Program.

The UTS Nokia Nuala Ward Prize is offered to female students currently in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year UTS (please refer to eligibility criteria below) to continue their studies and support the transition into the workforce.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the award, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be female-identifying; and,   
• Be enrolled in one of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor courses, including combined courses, and   
• Have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 75 or greater at the time of application. 
• Have completed a minimum of 36 credit points in the relevant academic year; and   
  • Commence Second Year: have completed 36-60 credit points overall.
  • Commence Third Year: have completed 72-110 credit points overall.
  • Commence Fourth Year: have completed 108-168 credit points overall

*You will be required to submit your most recent academic records for verification

Recipient selection criteria

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting women in engineering and IT; and
• Demonstrate the qualities in which the Nokia essentials represent – Open, Fearless and Empowered; and
• The most outstanding application detailing the Recipient’s experience of engineering and/or IT and ideas about how to increase the participation of women in engineering and IT; and
• Extra-curricular activities that demonstrate leadership potential and contribution to the wider community; and
• Academic excellence.

Read the conditions of award (download available below). 

Selection process

Applicants are assessed by a panel of UTS and Nokia representatives on their contribution to actively promoting the participation of women within their field as well as their academic performance. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their leadership skills and the need to increase the involvement of women within their field, with special consideration of the Nokia values – Open, Fearless and Empowered.

Application process: applications open from 3 - 31 March 2025

Apply!

Nuala Ward (1975–2021)

A telecommunications engineer, environmentalist, mother, accomplished musician and community builder, Nuala Catherine Reavey Ward was a person of drive and enthusiasm.  

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nuala came to Sydney at eight months when her parents migrated in 1974. Finishing as Dux St Martha’s primary school Strathfield, Nuala moved to Monte Sant Angelo College where she made many life-long friends. She developed her skills in maths, science and music, playing flute, winning prizes while continuing her Irish dancing. 

At Sydney University Nuala was active in the Engineering Society & in their “review”. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (1996) and an Honours Degree in Information Systems Engineering (1998). In her final year at Uni, Nuala was awarded a cadetship with Alcatel, joining Alcatel full-time on graduation. 

After a few years, Nuala took leave from Alcatel, with a Queen’s Fund Scholarship, to study at Darwin College, Cambridge University, where in 2000, she gained a Masters in Philosophy (Computer Speech & Language Processing). As always, she made the most of her time, joining the Darwin College Rowing Club and the University Ceilidh Band.  

With 20 years Telecommunications Engineering experience at Alcatel and Nokia, in late 2018 Nuala was appointed Consulting Partner at the prestigious Bell Labs division of Nokia practicing as a Specialist Business Development & End to End Solution Architect. She brought technical expertise, strong leadership and enthusiasm to all her roles.    

Nuala was passionate about encouraging and promoting women in Engineering, often giving her time attending school assemblies to speak directly to girls on a future in engineering. She was active in the IEEE and in Business Chicks.  

Nuala loved exploring the world and spending time in nature and amongst wildlife, especially Australian birds, leading to her involvement in “Greenway Birdos” where she became a very active bird spotter and photographer.  At the height of the bushfires in 2020, despite her own battle with cancer she was busy sewing of “Bat Wraps” for endangered wildlife. 

Nuala lost her 30-month battle with triple negative breast cancer on 31 March 2021 aged 46. She was much loved by her family, friends and work colleagues and her Haberfield community.