Congratulations to Róisín Clancy, Leaving Certificate class of 2019, who was one of ten University of Limerick students to receive scholarships as part of Johnson & Johnson Ireland’s Women in STEM2D Award Programme.
Irish Aeronautical Engineer and award-winning STEM advocate, Dr Norah Patten, presented the awards, which are supported by Lero, to the women at a virtual awards ceremony on January 29.
WiSTEM2D refers to Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing and Design. The WiSTEM2D programme underlines J&J’s commitment to developing and implementing high-impact strategies to support female students undertaking STEM2D degree courses at UL and in universities around the world.
A recent study by the Department of Education’s STEM Education Implementation Advisory Group found that there are significant gender imbalances in STEM subject choices made by male and female students at the post-primary level in Ireland, and that it is critical to encourage greater participation of girls in these subject areas.
“This programme is an important initiative which serves to support and encourage these female students who, although still in a minority, have made it into the STEM field, and this is crucial to keep them in the sector going forward.”
Ten students were selected to receive scholarships at the virtual awards ceremony, following a rigorous application process and one-to-one interviews. The scholarship recipients will benefit from extensive industry mentoring and leadership training as part of J&J’s WiSTEM2D programme. Recipients of the scholarship were presented with bespoke framed glass artwork created by Fermoy-based artist, Suzanne O’Sullivan.
We wish Róisin every continued success and are very proud of her here in GCS.