A new four-year collaboration between financial services leader Fidelity Investments Ireland and Dublin City University will provide a programme of scholarships to tackle the persistent underrepresentation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths, both in the workplace and in education.
This collaboration with DCU Faculty of Engineering and Computing, DCU Sport and the DCU Access Programme will provide a wide range of supports to encourage more young women from diverse backgrounds to pursue study and careers in STEM.
In addition to funding scholarships for women from socio-economically disadvantaged communities, the Fidelity Investments Ireland Women in STEM Fund will provide scholarships that support female student athletes to achieve in sport and in STEM, and will establish a new scholarship for women pursuing the undergraduate BSc in Computing at DCU.
Through this scholarship, Fidelity Investments Ireland will also be involved in a suite of initiatives to promote STEM courses and careers at DCU’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing, including the ComputeTY outreach initiative that teaches Transition Year students how to programme, student mentoring and career visioning sessions, Engineers Week events and a Women in STEM prize for final-year students.
Executive Dean of DCU Faculty of Engineering and Computing Dr Jennifer Bruton stated;
“Fidelity Investments Ireland has long been a supporter of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, and of diversity in STEM. I am absolutely delighted that Fidelity Ireland has committed to broadening and extending their commitment to our students and our work.
As a result of Fidelity Investments Ireland’ support, we can enhance the impact of our outreach activities, such as ComputeTY, to encourage girls to engage with STEM at an early and formative age. In addition, Fidelity Ireland’s generous support allows us to financially reward and recognise female excellence at undergraduate level, while the commitment and engagement of their broader team will allow students to avail of access to career advice and mentorship sessions. This combination of outreach, financial support, sponsorship and career visioning speaks to our joint commitment to improving gender representation imbalances in STEM, and to DCU’s mission to transform lives and
societies.”
Commenting on the partnership, Lorna Martyn, Regional Chair and SVP of Technology at Fidelity Investments Ireland, added;
“Fidelity Investments Ireland is committed to increasing participation in STEM by fostering diverse talent pipelines and through initiatives and collaborations that advance inclusion in STEM education and careers.
We have a long history of collaboration with DCU in many capacities, including access to education, supporting the ComputeTY Transition Year STEM education programme, engagement with the STEM teachers and Access to the Workplace internship programmes. We are thrilled to extend our commitment by supporting the Women in STEM Scholarships.”
James Galvin, Director of Sport at DCU said;
“Fidelity Ireland’s support for our female STEM student athletes is particularly important and a recognition of the vital roles they will go on to fill in their professional lives. This partnership enhances our ability to fulfil DCU’s mission to transform lives and societies. We are grateful to Fidelity Ireland and excited for the work ahead.”
Scholarship applications are open to second and third year students completing the BSc in Computing. Eligible students have been contacted by the Faculty of Engineering and Computing.
About Fidelity Investments Ireland
Fidelity’s mission is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity’s strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $14.1 trillion, including discretionary assets of $5.5 trillion as of June 30, 2024, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 78 years, Fidelity employs more than 75,000 associates across the United States, Ireland, and India.
In 1996, Fidelity created its first global footprint in Ireland. Our work at Fidelity Ireland is critical to the global organisation, delivering essential technology, operations and support services. Since our inception in Ireland, we’ve persistently innovated. As a committed voice for diversity and inclusion, we’ve worked hard to create an energised and vibrant workplace, filled with opportunity. We’re home to a welcoming, multi-cultural team of creative thinkers — working hand-in-hand with our colleagues in the U.S., Europe and India. Fidelity Investments Ireland currently employs more than 1,900 associates in the region.
