Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Associate Professor Taryn Jones and the Girls to Graduates project, engaging and empowering women to succeed in the STEM program at Macquarie University for their successful funding through the women in STEM and entrepreneurship program.

Macquarie University's Girls to Graduates program was just one of 17 projects nationwide to receive funding in this scheme. Their program focuses on the inclusive principles of engagement, encouragement and empowerment to bring together school, academic and industry partners to promote the participation of girls and women in STEM education and careers. The funding will allow them to run important initiatives, such as sponsored STEM holiday program placements in their Macquarie Junior Science Academy Program for girls from equity backgrounds; STEM learning and leadership opportunities for high school girls from low-socioeconomic backgrounds; and establishing a new equity pathway and scholarship scheme to support entry into undergraduate STEM programs.

Despite progress in recent years, women are still significantly underrepresented in STEM careers, and this gender gap is even more pronounced in entrepreneurship. The women in STEM and entrepreneurship grant is an excellent initiative to address this issue. I'm glad to see the success of programs such as this and the Girls to Graduates program in promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM field, particularly at Macquarie University in my home community in Bennelong.

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