Bursaries awarded to study STEM subjects

Three girls have been awarded bursaries of £1,500 to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects at Highlands College.

Soroptimist International Jersey (SI Jersey) has offered these bursaries to encourage more girls to enter the male dominated areas of study at the higher education college. The subject areas eligible for the bursary scheme include automotive studies; building services; building trades; digital games development; IT; and mechanical engineering and welding.

All female level 3 students in STEM subjects at Highlands were invited to apply for the bursary by submitting 200 words on why they enjoyed their chosen subject and how winning the bursary would be beneficial to them.

Each application was then put to a judging panel consisting of the President of SI Jersey, Catherine Kirby, Managing Director of MasonBreese, Jimmy Kelly, and Assistant Principal at Highlands College, Dreena Collins.

Catherine Kirby said: “These bursaries are hoped to encourage more girls to take up the challenge of entering these historically male-dominated subjects and it is great to see the increasing number of girls putting themselves forward.

“SI Jersey has been committed to making the Island a more equal place by focusing on educating and empowering women and girls over the past 70 years. Soroptimists provide a global voice for women and are proud to have Special Consultative Status at the United Nations”

Highlands College will be hosting a presentation of the awards where the winners will be announced on Thursday 12 November at the College’s Academy Restaurant.