The University of Queensland has partnered with VINCI Energies to inspire and support a new generation of women in engineering, with a focus on building skills, confidence, and careers in electrical infrastructure.
The global energy and construction leader has committed to supporting UQ’s Women in Engineering (WE) Program annually, and launching a new scholarship designed to support three female students in electrical engineering, each year from 2026.
UQ Women in Engineering Program Manager, Dr Anh Tran said the partnership would help inspire the next generation of engineers at a critical time for Queensland.
“We’re proud to welcome VINCI Energies as a Women in Engineering partner,” Dr Tran said.
“With strong industry backing - particularly from the construction and energy infrastructure sector - we can reach more schools, engage more students, and open up real pathways for young women to see themselves in engineering careers.”
“As Brisbane prepares for major projects like the 2032 Olympic Games, having partners like VINCI Energies complements our existing network and strengthens our mission to build a more diverse and future-ready workforce.”
Now in its 12th year, the WE Program has doubled the number of women entering engineering at UQ from over 200 in 2013 to around 400 women commencing in 2025.
In 2024, the program engaged more than 4,200 high school students across 150 schools, with a strong focus on regional outreach and mentoring.
Creating opportunities, inspiring careers
Harry Ashton, Perimeter Director at VINCI Energies, said the scholarship was about more than financial support - it’s about building pathways.
“It can be hard to demonstrate just how great our industry is unless you’re in it. That’s why we’re building a strong framework - to attract people early and support them all the way through.”
“We want to show students the real world - give them experiences that show how exciting and rewarding engineering can be.”
Built from the ground up
VINCI Energies employs more than 90,000 people globally across 1,500 decentralised business units, with projects spanning electrical infrastructure, data centres, and industrial systems. The company combines global expertise with a proud local legacy through its Brisbane-founded business, J&P Richardson. Mr Ashton emphasised that the company remains deeply committed to developing and training local talent.
“Many of our senior managers have come through either the apprenticeship or graduate program. We build our teams from the ground up - and we want to accelerate that for women entering engineering,” he said.
“This isn’t just a scholarship, it’s a commitment to giving students a future in this industry – it’s about opening doors, through financial support, mentoring, and career pathways.”
Towards 30% and beyond
The initiative is another step toward UQ’s goal of having women make up at least 30% of engineering students, which will result in over 400 women commencing engineering every year.
Interim Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, Professor Matthew Dargusch, said strong partnerships were helping move the needle.
“We’re building momentum. With committed partners like VINCI Energies, we’re on track to reach, and surpass, that target,” Professor Dargusch said.
“To solve global challenges, we need diverse voices in the room. This partnership is part of building that future.”
VINCI Energies joins ten dedicated program partners from a range of sectors already supporting UQ Women in Engineering: Rio Tinto, Anglo American, The Australian Power Institute, Sandvik, EM Solutions, Ergon Energy + Energex, Powerlink Queensland, Hatch, Origin Energy and Queensland Rail.
Learn more about UQ’s Women in Engineering Program and how to get involved with the mission to create change for a better world.
