UniBank supports gender equality in STEM

UniBank is engaging with a number of Australian universities to support their initiatives in promoting STEM to females.

  • 11 December 2018

    STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is everywhere, including homes, schools, universities, businesses even the roads you drive on! A recent study predicts 75% of all jobs will require STEM skills over the next decade.

    UniBank is engaging with a number of Australian universities to support their initiatives in this very important area, especially in helping promote STEM to females to increase participation rates in related fields.

    There are some excellent reasons for students to study STEM related courses at university including:

    • courses are available to suit all interests
    • students are immersed in the latest technological innovations
    • skills learnt are widely transferable
    • access to a range of professional development and mentoring opportunities.

    Speaker at Women in Engineering and IT event

    A recent report from the Office of Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, based on 2011 Census data shows that only 16% of STEM qualified persons in the work force are female.

    There has been a lot of interest generated in the media on this topic in recent times, which has provided insight into many of the key issues around underrepresentation of females in STEM such as:

    • Occupational segregation
    • Industry segregation
    • Cultural stereotypes
    • Career breaks
    • Working part time
    • Women leaving the profession
    • Lack of women in leadership roles in STEM fields
    • Discriminatory practices within the workplace

    We are aware that many Australian universities have a dedicated program to encourage women to study STEM related fields. A 2016 update from The Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Initiative identified 30 universities that had adopted the Athena SWAN Charter – a gender equity program recognising and celebrating good practice to boost gender equity in STEM areas.

    As part of UniBank’s commitment to being a socially responsible, ethical and sustainable business, we are actively working with key stakeholders from across the sector to promote STEM including:

    • Sponsoring the 2018 UTS Women in Engineering and IT Volunteers Awards, held on 8 October 2018. This night was a thank you to all volunteers including students and faculty staff who work within the UTS network in the Faculty of Engineering and IT. UniBank General Manager, Mike Lanzing was a keynote speaker at the event.
    • Sponsoring the UniBank Women in Science Award at Edith Cowan University in Perth, which will be awarded in 2019 based on this year’s results.
    • Sponsoring two academic awards at RMIT in Melbourne for the 2019 Academic year supporting Women in STEM in Computer Science and Civil Engineering.

    If your university has a STEM related initiative that UniBank can help support, we welcome you to contact us on 1800 864 864 or email [email protected]

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