- Posted February 01, 2021
- Media Releases
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) Director-General Andrew Hampton has welcomed the growing diversity of women studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects who have received the latest GCSB scholarship grants.
In 2020, its fourth year, the scholarship programme granted three $10,000 scholarships to women from a diverse range of backgrounds who are all studying STEM subjects at tertiary institutions. Each year one of them is dedicated to a Māori/Pasifika student.
The scholarships are intended to support STEM-related career paths available to women, including careers within the GCSB, such as engineering, computer science and technical analysis.
Recipients of the 2020 awards are:
- Laura Schnauer – The University of Auckland – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Alex Fawcett – Massey University – Bachelor of Information Sciences
- Antonia King – Victoria University of Wellington – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics
“We were again very pleased with the overall standard of all applicants this year and the selection process was no easy task. It was great to be able to give two of the awards to Māori women,” says Andrew Hampton.
“We are looking for women who not only have a strong academic record but also demonstrate a range of relevant skills such as critical thinking, leadership potential and those who reflect the diversity which we are striving for in the GCSB.
“The GCSB contributes to the protection of New Zealand’s national security, international relations and our economic well-being.
“Not only is it vital that we have the best and brightest STEM minds working for us, but also that we reflect the diverse New Zealand communities we serve.
“Even if some of the scholarship recipients choose a different career path from the GCSB, we still have an important role to play in supporting women who are studying STEM subjects,” said Mr Hampton.
Women make up 52.9% of senior managers in the GCSB, but only 35.5% of the total GCSB workforce.
“We are working hard to ensure we achieve a better gender balance across the whole organisation, and change is occurring,” says Andrew Hampton.
“For the last three years an average of 50% of people on our graduate programme are female thanks largely to the women in STEM scholarship.”
Applications for the 2021 scholarships open on 1 June 2021.
Further details about the scholarship and eligibility can be found on the GCSB website.