Thirteen years ago the University of Limerick established four Annual bursaries for Women in Engineering in order to encourage more female Leaving Certificate students to enrol in full-time undergraduate Engineering and Technology programmes where they are significantly under- represented. This is in the context of the perceived need to increase the involvement of women nationally in the field of engineering and technically related careers and at the same time challenge the stereotype thinking in this area that this profession is not really suited to women. Bursaries are awarded to one female in each of the four engineering and technology departments each year who have obtained the highest points score at entry to the University.
The presentation to Deirdre Ryan of the Bursary for a female under-graduates who achieved the highest points scored on entry to the faculty of Engineering and Technology took place took place recently at Plassey House, UL.