Student earns STEM scholarship

LA Trobe University student Caitlin Buchan has been awarded a scholarship aimed at helping her continue pursuing a career in engineering.

Ms Buchan is one of 25 people to receive a $20,000 Defence Women in STEM Undergraduate Scholarship, awarded to students demonstrating academic excellence and community leadership and engagement.

The 19-year-old said the scholarship will help her complete her bachelor of engineering honours at the University’s Bendigo campus while also completing work placement with the Defence, Science and Technology Group.

“I’m excited for the direction this scholarship could take me. The opportunity to network with experts in my field of interest, while gaining experience helping solve real-world problems will be invaluable,” Ms Buchan said.

“This scholarship will be my first chance to witness first-hand a fast-paced technological environment.”

Head of engineering and mathematical sciences at La Trobe Professor Wenny Rahyu said the scholarship is designed to encourage more young women to consider STEM careers.

“Gender diversity in areas like science and engineering leads to innovations and ideas that might not otherwise be realised, which is incredibly important when it comes to addressing real-world problems,” she said.

“Like the scholarship we offer to women studying our master of internet of things, this initiative goes a long way to helping women like Caitlin pursue their passion, ultimately strengthening Australia’s STEM workforce.”

Ms Buchan said she hadn’t considered engineering as a career until she was in VCE.

“Until I was in year 11, I’d been pursuing a career in performing and writing music. A teacher mentioned engineering to me, because of my interests and ability in maths and physics,” she said.

“After looking into it further I realised engineering plays such a vital role in helping people make decisions and shaping our physical environment, and I wanted to be part of that.

“I’m particularly interested in augmented reality; I see it playing a huge future role in how we live our lives, and I would love to be part of a team that unlocks its full potential.”