Generic. Creative Commons image by Marta Manso

For Giulia Mattia, a computer science student at the University of British Columbia, the pathway into the tech sector just got a bit easier, thanks to one of the $10,000 Women in Technology and Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarships from the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society.

“I aspire to be a female leader in tech,” said Mattia, who is in her third year of the four-year degree. “And, I hope to one day represent and inspire women in the tech sector throughout B.C. and around the world. This scholarship has helped me realize the impact that my work has had on my community and has motivated me to keep working hard towards my personal goals, as well as my goals for the tech community. Most importantly, it has encouraged me to believe in myself and to remember that women, including myself, belong in tech.”

Mattia is among 10 students who have been awarded the scholarships this fall based on academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career in computer science, engineering or mathematics.

Women are under-represented in tech-related disciplines such as sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Women receive about 37% of STEM credentials awarded by the B.C. public post-secondary system, compared to 59% of non-STEM program credentials.

The tech sector in B.C. is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy generating about $29 billion in revenue, supporting over 106,000 good-paying jobs. The province is home to more than 10,200 tech businesses.

Labour market forecasts expect more than 82,000 tech-related job openings over the next decade for computer programmers, software designers, engineers and others.

The 2018 Women in Technology and Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarship recipients are:

• Emilie Boras from Penticton – UBC – mechanical engineering
• Alexandra Dean from Nelson – UVic  – computer science/math
• Emma Jackson from North Saanich – UBC – mechanical engineering
• Natella Jafarova from Victoria – UVic – statistics
• Giulia Mattia from Burnaby – UBC – computer science
• Emily Medema from Vernon – UBCO – computer science
• Angelina Pinchbeck from Kelowna – UBCO – mechanical engineering
• Marlie Russell from Williams Lake – UBCO – computer science
• Jobina Tamminga from Big Cedar (recipient of the Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarship) – UBC – computer science
• Amy Zhu from Vancouver – UBC – computer science

Additional Resource

• Eligibility criteria and applications for Women in Technology Scholarships and Indigenous Women in Technology Scholarships are available at: http://www.ikbbc.ca

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