In summary

  • Avanade has announced its first Women in STEM scholarship program in Australia at Swinburne
  • Six Swinburne students will gain vital financial support, internship opportunities and invitations to attend Avanade’s Innovation events for hands-on learning

Avanade, the leading digital innovator on the Microsoft ecosystem, has partnered with Swinburne in a  Women in STEM scholarship program, enabling young women in Australia to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professions.

The scholarship program, Avanade’s first in Australia, will provide six Swinburne students with vital financial support, internship opportunities and invitations to attend Avanade’s Innovation events for hands-on learning.

Scholarship recipients will also be offered graduate placements upon completion of their degrees. In addition, the six students will receive coaching and mentoring from Avanade Australia leaders.

The scholarship program, which is open for applications for a February 2021 start, aims to build a more diverse, dynamic future workforce in STEM. It focuses on the building blocks of successful career development, from social networking skills to team building. 

The scholarship program will support the six students for the duration of their university course and is part of Avanade’s broader global scholarship program.

Swinburne Vice-Chancellor Professor Pascale Quester says that the university has a strong reputation for developing strong STEM skills in aspiring learners and leaders.

“Swinburne has a strong culture of gender equity and inclusion. We are committed to encouraging the brightest women and girls in pursuing STEM and advancing Australia’s competitive capability in these fields. This new scholarship partnership will help ensure these women can be supported, nurtured and inspired,” Professor Quester says.

Executive Sales Leadership and Corporate Citizenship Lead at Avanade Australia Carol Gobby says: “We’re thrilled to announce our first Women in STEM scholarship program in Australia, in partnership with a world-renowned education institution like Swinburne University of Technology. 

“We share a mutual desire with Swinburne to help more people access the opportunities and benefits of technology and education. As we navigate through this period of uncertainty, we believe STEM skills will be pivotal to the ongoing recovery and rapid pace of change. We want to make a genuine human impact by helping to improve the diversity within those sectors across Australia - ensuring as many people as possible are trained and ready for the jobs of the future.” 

Avanade STEM Scholarships

The Avanade STEM Scholarship program has 14 university partners around the globe in countries such as the United States, Canada, Italy, France, Japan and China. With a wide international base, students have the opportunity to build key relationships with their peers, which they can draw upon throughout their careers. 

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