‘Sprint’ puts the accelerator on female undergraduates’ futures
Inaugural ‘Sprint’ Undergraduate Women's Development Program
Monash University’s School of Biomedical Sciences, together with the Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI), has co-hosted the inaugural ‘Sprint’ Undergraduate Women's Development Program, a four-day event aimed at enhancing the educational experience and future professional lives of female scientists.
Twenty-three top female undergraduates from the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science courses were invited to take part in the program, the first time it was staged in Australia.
Inspired by Oxford University research, ‘Sprint’ has been successfully run at both Oxford and Cambridge universities. It gives female students tips and inspiration promoting active engagement with their studies and careers, improves self-esteem and helps them to hone their goals and aspirations, broaden their ideas about careers and opportunities, widen their networks and make links with sponsoring organisations.
It was hosted jointly by the School of Biomedical Sciences and Faculty of Science, and instigated by Dr Chris Thompson, Associate Dean (Education) in the Faculty of Science, and Professor Janet Macaulay, Director of Education within the School of Biomedical Sciences.
“Dr Thompson and Professor Macauley decided to run the program to support and develop our students’ capabilities as part of their educational experience at Monash University,” said Ms Natalie Seng, Manager Student Experience.
“It’s about equipping female undergraduate students with skills and confidence so that they can make the most of opportunities coming their way and overcome any obstacles.”
Ms Seng said the program was an extraordinary experience for the participants.
“They were a special group of students whose enthusiasm for the program was contagious. They have made strong connections, not only with their peers but the speakers and panel. It opened their eyes to what their strengths were and the possibilities they have before them,” Ms Seng said.
The students heard speakers Dr Leonie Walsh, Victoria's inaugural Lead Scientist, and Bachelor of Biomedical Science alumni scientist Dr Bridgette Semple, talk of the progression of their education and careers. They listened to a panel comprising industry representatives Mr Phil Lowenstren and Dr Nahid Chalyavi from Agilent Technologies, and Monash Professor Kristian Helmerson, a Chief Investigator with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronic Technologies (FLEET).
This program is one of the many initiatives that form part of the BDI’s commitment to gender equity.