Gender disparity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is nothing new for Ramesh.
Anandikaa Ramesh hopes to pursue a career in financial technology when she graduates. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
‘Role model’ for women in STEM from diverse backgrounds
“So, for me, software engineering seems very logical and algorithm-based. I also have a passion for commerce, so I thought it was best to combine the two streams at university.”
“I’d really love to be a role model for young women and people from diverse backgrounds and also girls from where I live, in western Sydney,” she said.
Shane Griffin, associate vice president of Sydney Future Students at The University of Sydney, hopes to encourage more women to pursue STEM courses. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
It’s a view shared by Shane Griffin, associate vice president of Sydney Future Students at The University of Sydney, who has spent almost two years developing a new school-to-university STEM pipeline targeting young women.
“We hope to bring about generational change, addressing diversity, skills and participation in STEM,” Griffin said.
A $100 million donation
“Robin Khuda was an international student who recently sold his company AirTrunk for a large sum and was keen to give back,” Griffin said.
Tech founder Robin Khuda (centre) in discussion with students Loretta Payne (left) Anandikaa Ramesh (centre) and Samantha Jap (right). Source: Supplied / Michael Amendolia/ The University of Sydney
Last year, global asset manager Blackstone completed a $24 billion acquisition of AirTrunk, a hyperscale data centre specialist in the Asia Pacific and Japan. This marked the largest-ever data centre deal globally and the biggest transaction in Australia for 2024.
The STEM program aims to attract female students to relevant courses in high school and then retain and support them through tertiary studies to pursue STEM careers.
The fight to close a ‘very large’ participation gap
“It is very pleasing because that was one of the key recommendations in our review,” Williams said.
Sally-Ann Williams is an innovation hub founder. Source: Supplied / Cicada Innovations
The review also called on the government to establish a suite of diversity in STEM programs along with efforts to make Australian workplaces safer, more diverse and inclusive.
“Key to this is how we govern academic and research institutes and our private sector companies to ensure they are safe and free from bullying, harassment and misconduct,” she said.
Williams said boosting diversity across government and private sectors is crucial to improve productivity outcomes.
The STEM program will encourage more women to take up engineering degrees. Credit: Getty Images
“In Australia, there remains a very large gap for participation of women and other underrepresented people in engineering and computing,” Williams said.
The first pilot scholars are expected to enrol at the university in 2027.
Anandikaa Ramesh hopes other young women will follow her into engineering. Source: SBS / Spencer Austad
Ramesh expects to finish her engineering and commerce degrees in 2028. Her longer-term goal is a career in finance technology.
“A lot of women are unaware of what engineering is and what engineers do.