About women in engineering
The UQ Women in Engineering (WE) Program is a nationally unique industry-funded, but university-led, program to increase the number of women choosing engineering as a rewarding and impactful career.
Women in Engineering was formed in February 2013 through a partnership with industry members Rio Tinto , and members of the Australian Power Institute (API) and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) . In 2024, UQ Women in Engineering is supported by ten program partners: Anglo American, The Australian Power Institute, EM Solutions, Ergon Energy + Energex, Hatch, Origin Energy, Queensland Rail, Rio Tinto, and Sandvik.
While the program has evolved over time, the core purpose has remained consistent: to convey to young women a sense of the great possibilities and satisfaction that an engineering career can provide; the many ways that engineering works to provide creative and innovative solutions for the ever-changing problems of our world; and its essential role in making real the dreams and visions of people everywhere. Through various educational initiatives and events:
- WE educate and inspire young women to consider a rewarding career in engineering
- WE support and mentor students through their university experience and
- WE connect women with industry and adequately prepare them to enjoy a smooth transition into an exciting and impactful career in engineering.
In 2022, women represented 27 per cent of all commencing domestic engineering students, a significant increase from 18.8 per cent of students before the program commenced and well above the current national average of 18 per cent.
Achieving our goal of at least 30 per cent of women representing our engineering cohort will see over 250 women graduating from engineering programs every year. The longer-term objective is for this work to be a catalyst to sustainably improve the participation rate of women in the engineering workforce at large.
How to get involved?
Our program partners are promoted and acknowledged on all our collateral and engagements – a proud display of their commitment. WE work collaboratively with our program partners to manage the program and set a strategic direction that will help achieve our shared KPI’s. The program offers multiple opportunities for program partners to connect and engage with prospective and current students to support and build our pipeline of diverse talent.
For more information on how to become a program partner visit our Industry Involvement Page.