Canberra Wednesday 1 July 1998

Getting more girls to do IT

Senator Kate Lundy, Labor's spokesperson on Information Technology (IT), will launch a special workshop at the ANU next week designed to encourage more young women to choose a career in IT.

Fifty young women from ACT colleges and NSW regional high schools will participate in the two-day program involving such activities as designing their own Web page, hands-on cyberspace tours and discussions with female industry professionals about IT careers.

Senator Lundy and the ANU's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deane Terrell, will launch the "Women in Information Technology" workshop at The Australian National University next Monday 6 July at 9.30am at the Computer Science Building, North Road, ANU. Photo opportunities of Senator Lundy and participants designing a Web page and viewing the ANU's latest IT research will follow the launch. Parking is reserved next to the Sports Union.

We want to show the young women at the workshop that IT is a profession which benefits people and society and that offers women the opportunity for worthwhile and fulfilling careers, says program coordinator Ms Sue Emmett.

Senator Lundy is very aware of the need to encourage more young women into an area that by the year 2000 will be the world's second largest industry. At the moment, only about one in five IT students are female. It is vital to try to redress this situation, if we want the future to be other than "man-made", she says.

Ms Emmett said greater participation in IT by women would help ensure that human issues remain of primary concern in technology developments.

"With Canberra developing as Australia's IT capital (and Fyshwick the 'Silicon Valley' equivalent) the ANU is the ideal place to study with opportunities for industry links and employment on the doorstep when they graduate," said Ms Emmett.

For futher information, please contact Sue Emmett on (02) 6249 0411 or Kay Barney, Media Liaison Manager, on (02) 6249 5575 or mobile 0416 249 228.

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