Intel Unveils 2014 Women in Technology Scholars

BITCI News - Uncategorized - Dec 15, 2014

Last month Intel Ireland unveiled their 2014 Women in Technology scholars at a special awards ceremony held at the Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin.

Scholarship+Leixlip+2014+1This is the third year of the Women in Technology for Intel in Leixlip where the initiative was introduced following the success of the same program which has been supported by Intel in Shannon since 2006.

The scholarship program aims to encourage a new generation of high-achieving women to take up the challenge of a career in science and technology. The program forms part of a wider focus by Intel on empowering girls and women by fostering educational opportunities and encouraging females to participate, prosper, and lead in the global economy.

Intel has worked closely over the last number of weeks with both local schools and a number of universities to share details of the initiative and encourage applications from females embarking on third level education and were delighted with the number of applications received to the program this year.

The 7 new scholars were unveiled at a special event which also included an interactive panel discussion with a number of young females who are making their mark in the fields of science and technology. The panel included recently named EU Digital Girl of the Year Lauren Boyle, Sentinus Northern Ireland Young Innovator of the Year Anna McEvoy, App developer Catrina Carrigan, Intel Scholar Nicole Fleck and Intel Integration Engineer Denise Charles. The panel was moderated by physicist and Trinity College professor Arlene O’Neill and gave the participants the chance to talk about their experiences as females in the fields of science, engineering and technology chatting on topics such as how they each got involved in their own field, what first sparked their interest, the females they consider their role models and advice that they would you have for other young females thinking about pursuing science, engineering and technology.

Following the panel discussion the official scholarship presentations were made by Intel Vice President of Processor Design Ahmad Zaidi, Intel Quark Engineering Manager Noel Murphy and Intel Senior Integration Engineer Laetitia West.

Each of the participants are studying a Science, Engineering or Technology course in either Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin or Maynooth University.

Speaking about the initiative at the presentation event, program coordinator Sarah Sexton said “We are delighted to present these accolades and to congratulate and welcome these young females as Intel scholars. Women are under-represented in the technology workplace and this program creates an important opportunity for us to encourage more young females to pursue careers in science and technology, as well as giving them firsthand experience of the career opportunities at Intel”.

The scholarship program offers a monetary grant valued at €2,000 per annum as well as opportunities for work placements at the Intel Leixlip campus. Each scholar is also assigned a mentor who is an Intel Leixlip employee to assist and provide advice on managing their academic career. The program is open to female school leavers entering undergraduate degrees in relevant courses. Look out for further details on www.intel.ie of Women in Technology Scholarships in the New Year.