Scholarship recipients announced to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day

To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day June 23, Alcoa announced the recipients of its 2023 Alcoa Bev Corless Women in Engineering Scholarships.

Shannon Henderson and Carynne Koh will each receive a total of $20,000 over two years to help with their engineering studies at WA’s Curtin University, as well as having the opportunity to undertake work experience at Alcoa’s bauxite mines and alumina refineries in the south west of the State.

The scholarship, named in honour of a former Alcoa engineer, aims to encourage and support women through two years of their full-time engineering studies at Curtin.

Shannon, from Kelmscott, is completing a chemical engineering degree. She said the scholarships provided valuable support for young women in engineering and resources.

“This scholarship not only provides valuable financial assistance but inspires the next generation of talented women to consider pursuing a career in engineering and seek out new experiences in the field,” Shannon said. “Women play a valuable role in shaping the resources industry by bringing different perspectives to decisions made on important issues.”

Carynne, from Canning Vale, who is in her second year of a mechanical engineering degree, said the scholarship would enable her to focus more on excelling in her studies and pursuing personal development opportunities.

“With the financial support from this scholarship, I have the freedom and flexibility to further explore opportunities to develop my professional capabilities as an aspiring engineer, while maintaining my volunteering work,” Carynne said.

Alcoa was the first company to initiative scholarships for women studying engineering at Curtin 17 years ago – a move that inspired other companies to offer similar opportunities.

Alcoa Australia President Matt Reed said the company was delighted to announce the scholarship recipients to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day.

“We are proud to honour and celebrate women in engineering through our scholarship program which fosters diversity, equality and opportunities in the workplace,” he said.