Robogals is a student-run volunteer organisation aiming to encourage schoolgirls to explore engineering from a young age, with the long-term goal of increasing female enrolment in engineering, science and technology courses at universities.
SMC sponsorship of the WA chapter of the Robogals, which operates from UWA, allowed them to travel to Geraldton to be part of the local Scitech Science Awareness Festival, running over Thursday 7 and Friday 8 April.
According to WA Robogals President Adina Lieblich, the event is a great way to show schoolgirls that Engineering is not just for boys.
“At UWA, the male-to-female ratio for first year enrolments in the faculty of engineering was a disappointing 83 to 17 in 2009, so we believe it’s really important to work with industry and schools to promote the profession to schoolgirls,” Adina explained.
“We run a number of presentations as part of the Geraldton Scitech Festival, and also have a display with some of the Lego robots we build with students. This opens their eyes to what can be achieved in engineering and hopefully will encourage them to consider it as a career.”
SMC Community and Indigenous Relations Manager Rowena Roberts said the Robogals fitted the criteria for the Resourcing the Region program perfectly.
“One of our key aims for the program is to build the capacity of youth through education, so when the Robogals came to us requesting funds to help them take part in the Geraldton Scitech Science Awareness Festival, we were keen to help,” Rowena said.
“SMC recognises the value of building a diverse workforce for the future, and with the skills shortage in the mining industry, encouraging more women into the industry is more important than ever.”
Note to Editor/COS: Photo/video opportunities with the Robogals can be arranged on request.
ENDS
For more information contact:
| Warrick Hazeldine | Caroline Thomson |
| Purple Communications | Purple Communications |
| P: 08 6314 6300 | P: 08 6314 6300 |
| M: 0417 944 616 | M: 0410 479 489 |
| E: whazeldine@purplecom.com.au | E: cthomson@purplecom.com.au |
About Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Limited
Sinosteel Midwest Corporation (Sinosteel Midwest) is developing iron ore and steel materials projects from one of the largest land holdings in the expanding Mid West resources region of WA. It has advanced production opportunities for iron ore at Weld Range (the largest DSO project in the Mid West), Jack Hills and Robinson Range.
In July 2010, the company started production at its Koolanooka/Blue Hills mine with a production target of 1.5 million tonnes of ore per annum for 5 to 7 years.
Sinosteel Corporation, one of China’s biggest suppliers of raw materials to Chinese steel mills, purchased Midwest Corporation in 2008. It is committed to the responsible and sustainable development of Sinosteel Midwest’s assets. Sinosteel Midwest possesses the capital, resources, technical skills and the people to play a major role in the development of the Mid West region, and is positioned to continue doing so actively now, notwithstanding the global financial crisis.
Sinosteel Midwest continues to actively develop and explore the potential of its deposits and the outlook for the Company is exciting.