SAN FRANCISCO, June 9, 2016—The Institute of International Education (IIE) and Juniper Networks announced four U.S. college students who will receive the Women Enhancing Technology (WeTech) Scholarship and Internship for University Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This initiative invests in young women in the United States and India by offering scholarship funding for study in the STEM fields as well as paid internship opportunities with Juniper Networks. This is the second year of the global program, which awards scholarships and internships to women from the U.S. and India. The application for the India program will open next month, and IIE and Juniper Networks will award eight additional scholarships and internships for young women from India.
The need for such a program is apparent. In the U.S., only 12 percent of engineers are women, while a mere two percent are women from underrepresented minority groups. Through various WeTech initiatives, IIE is working to encourage women around the world to pursue and sustain careers in STEM-related fields.
IIE’s CEO, Allan Goodman, commented, “Pairing financial support in the form of scholarships with an internship at a leading technology company ensures the students are better equipped once they graduate and enter the STEM workforce. IIE’s partnership with Juniper Networks plays an important role in our effort to help women and girls enter into and succeed in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education and careers.”
In the first year, IIE’s WeTech initiative selected two award winners in the U.S. and four in India to each receive a scholarship and internship at Juniper Networks. Each of the award winners had a unique and fulfilling internship and was able to create a customized learning experience based on their studies and interests. In 2016, the program doubled in size and now offers four scholarships and internships to university women studying STEM in the U.S., and eight scholarships and internships to women in India.
“My experience at Juniper Networks was very enlightening for me,” said Taylor White, one of the 2015 award winners. “I learned so much about myself as a person and what I want to do with my life, and I honestly don’t think that kind of growth could have happened anywhere else… I have to thank WeTech for giving me the opportunity to intern at Juniper Networks because, without them, I would not have realized my full potential.”
The four U.S. winners who were chosen by the global Juniper Networks selection committee are:
- Dana Christo, a Computer Science major from North Carolina State University
- Kelcy Newton, a Computer Science major from Georgia Institute of Technology
- Liubov Nikolenko, a Computer Science major from Georgia Institute of Technology
- Yoo Jeong Shim, an Engineering major from Harvey Mudd College
Each recipient of the award will receive a $10,000 scholarship for the 2016/2017 school year as well as the opportunity to participate in a paid 12-week internship at Juniper’s Global Headquarters in Sunnyvale, California.
“Juniper Networks is thrilled to be partnering with IIE on the WeTech initiative to provide a combined scholarship/internship package to up-and-coming female leaders in the technology industry. Juniper is dedicated to growing the number of women in STEM fields globally and this combined program illustrates our commitment to helping women become our next generation of technology leaders,” said Felicia Mayo, Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition and Authenticity & Inclusion, Juniper Networks.
IIE has led numerous programs across the world that aim to increase access to education, particularly among marginalized communities. After decades of experience engaging schools, universities and governments to expand broad participation in educational opportunities, IIE launched the WeTech consortium in 2013 to engage companies in efforts that foster access to education in the global communities where they work and to build a future talent pool for their industry.
For more information visit WeTech’s Twitter and Facebook page.
About WeTech
The Institute of International Education (IIE) created WeTech to help women and girls enter into and succeed in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education and careers, as a core part of its commitment to empower women. IIE joined with corporate partners who share this vision to launch WeTech at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting. WeTech is led by IIE and its initiatives are carried out in India, Africa and the United States with a consortium that includes Goldman Sachs, Google and Qualcomm Incorporated as lead collaborators.
About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,400 member institutions.
Through its Center for Women’s Leadership Initiatives, IIE provides opportunities for women worldwide to participate in cutting-edge training, professional development and exchange programs and pursue higher education. Our programs help women to develop and join networks of peers, mentors and experts and serve as effective leaders in the public and private sectors around the world.
About Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) delivers innovation across routing, switching and security. Juniper Networks’ innovations in software, silicon and systems transform the experience and economics of networking. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on Twitter and Facebook.
Juniper Networks and Junos are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The Juniper Networks and Junos logos are trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners.
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