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Building a bridge to gender equality in engineering and IT

Mechanical Engineering student Sophie Vo can work less and study more with a faculty scholarship.

Sophie Vo, a recipient of the Women in Engineering and IT (WiEIT) Faculty Scholarship, is a passionate Mechanical Engineering student at UTS. Her academic and professional journey took a significant turn when she discovered the WiEIT Faculty Scholarship program on the UTS website.

Women in Engineering and Information Technology Scholarship recipient Sophie Vo.

An inclusive future in engineering

Sophie's interest in the scholarship stemmed from its potential benefits, including a $10,000 grant. After a successful interview process, Sophie was awarded the scholarship, allowing her to reduce her work hours and focus more on her studies and university life.

"It has allowed me to cut some shifts from work and focus on university life and my studies," Sophie says.

Her journey into engineering began in Year 10 during the Engineering Link Project, where she built a bridge as part of a team. Noticing the lack of female representation, Sophie realised her passion for breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes in Engineering and IT. This experience became a crucial part of her scholarship interview.

Driven by curiosity

Sophie's inquisitive nature has been the driving force behind her endeavours at UTS.

Reflecting on her high school years, she says, "In high school, I did Engineering Studies. I’ve always been very curious, and I’ve always tinkered with things."

She is thriving in her learning experience at UTS.

Everyone here is friendly, and if you ever need help with anything, there is always someone there – particularly amongst our Women in Engineering and IT cohort.

Sophie Vo

Embracing opportunities

Sophie has already gained practical experience through an internship at a UTS startup company, Parking Spots, where she worked on mechatronics and hardware, and completed some backend engineering and marketing tasks.

Next month, Sophie will participate in the Global Shorts program in Singapore, studying 3D printing and manufacturing. "I am looking forward to my studies there as well as learning more about Singaporean culture. Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to go."

Later this year, Sophie will represent UTS in a Stanford program in the Netherlands, working with leaders and academics to find new ways to implement innovation at UTS.

To make the most of your time at UTS, Sophie advises: "Get involved in everything; there are so many opportunities to take up."

Her advice to current Year 12 students is to "take a breath, calm down, everything will work out". She emphasises the importance of balance, organisation, and pacing oneself.

Explore the WiEIT Faculty Scholarship

The Women in Engineering and IT (WiEIT) Faculty Scholarship at UTS has been established with the goal of increasing the participation of women in Engineering and IT as a non-traditional area of study. Recipients are awarded up to $10,000 to support their first year of Engineering studies.

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