Central Queensland University has awarded environmental science student Joanne Jennings with this year’s Women in Science and Technology (WIST) scholarship.

The $1000 scholarship is designed to help relieve the financial burden on low socio-economic students who have completed at least two subjects through CQU’s WIST program and have been accepted into a non-traditional degree in science, engineering or technology at CQU.

The Hervey Bay single mother of two teenage children has begun her Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at CQU via distance education.

“Joanne is very passionate about the preservation of the environment and sees her future career to encompass this role,” coordinator of the WIST program Judith Wooller said.

“I would like to become involved in environmental development and planning in order to protect and preserve the environment,” Ms Jennings explained.

CQU has provided over 3000 women with the opportunity for a career in non-traditional fields through its WIST program.

WIST is a bridging program which gives women the basic skills needed to apply for university entry and succeed in a career.

The program is recognised by universities nationwide as a pre-requisite course for undergraduate studies, provides students with access to TAFE and also has been used as preparation for employment tests.

“WIST provides an alternative access for women into non-traditional areas and also gives women the tools to enable them to undertake courses at university,” Ms Wooller said.

“The program is a home-based, self-paced program that focuses on English, Science, Mathematics and Computing for women. So, the program caters for women who may not have finished year 12, may need help with literacy, numeracy and computing, and may need to study from home due to work and family commitments.”.

WIST is Centrelink funded and QTAC approved.

“This program provides the chance for women to empower themselves through education.”.

Up to 30% of WIST students continue into tertiary education with many going on to do postgraduate studies in the sciences and information systems.