Griffith University has been awarded $1.9 million to deliver Girls in AI Innovation & Mentorship, a five-year program designed to encourage more school-aged girls to pursue STEM education, careers and entrepreneurship through artificial intelligence.
The initiative is one of five projects to receive funding under the Australian Government’s latest Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) program, which is investing almost $9.7 million to increase the participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The Girls in AI Innovation & Mentorship program will focus on creating inclusive learning environments and mentoring networks that support girls in developing skills and confidence in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres said the Government was committed to expanding opportunities for women and girls in STEM.
“It’s important that women and girls can see a future for themselves in STEM and have the support to build skills to pursue those opportunities,” Minister Ayres said.
He said the WISE program supports projects that help remove barriers and build stronger pathways into STEM education and careers.
“The Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship program is about expanding opportunity – backing projects that build confidence, create connections and open doors for women and girls to enter careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.”
In addition to Griffith University’s program, the successful five-year projects are:
- Women in Health and Medical Sciences Inclusive Leadership Mentoring Program has received $1.7 million to expand the program across five states to enhance inclusive leadership and strengthening career pathways for women. The program is coordinated by the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
- MOUA (Museum of Underwater Art) + STEM Changemakers will receive $2 million to deliver a place-based STEM engagement program across regional, rural and remote Queensland.
- Macquarie University’s Girls to Graduates: Enabling and Empowering Women to Success in STEM has received close to $2 million to support underrepresented women to pursue STEM education and careers, addressing barriers and improving participation.
- Champions of Change Engineers Group: An accelerated strategy for disruption has been awarded almost $2 million to support a national initiative to improve gender balance in engineering through leadership and systemic reform.
Minister Ayres said increasing the participation of women and girls in STEM would strengthen Australia’s future workforce.
“When more women and girls succeed in STEM, we strengthen our workforce, lift our economy and build a more resilient future for Australia.”
The Australian Government said the five projects will be delivered over the next five years to help create more inclusive STEM education and career pathways for women and girls.