Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is supporting Australia's future STEM experts with a new round of research awards to students as part of the 11th Australian Space Forum, held in Adelaide on 31 March.
The company will be providing $50,000 in grants to young Australians across secondary and tertiary education, following over $20 million of investment over the last half a decade. The funding will be across two programs, the EOS Space Systems Research Awards and the EOS Scholarships for Future Excellence in STEM.
EOS is partnering with the Andy Thomas Space Foundation to begin the EOS Space Systems Research Awards to support research into satellite communications and technology among Australian post-graduates. The awards will provide three $10,000 prizes to candidates from Australian universities.
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CEO of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, Nicola Sasanelli, welcomed the commencement of the award program.
“This partnership represents the joint effort of our organisations to advance space education in the country and provide a strong foundation for the continued growth of an innovative local space sector,” Sasanelli said.
CEO of EOS Space Systems Professor Craig Smith further welcomed EOS' support of the STEM industry.
“EOS is a technology company delivering advanced products for commercial space and defence industries. To deliver these products EOS relies on a highly educated and skilled workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” he said.
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“EOS is very pleased to support STEM education in Australia that underpins EOS’ and other Australian technology companies’ future needs for educated and skilled staff.”
For its second round of grants, EOS is partnering with One Giant Leap Australia to support women in secondary and tertiary education who have demonstrated excellence within the STEM field with their EOS Scholarships for Future Excellence in STEM program.
The program has granted $4,000 scholarships to Francesca Dobbie of Merewether High School, Jessica Kreskay of Moorefield Girls High School and Lisa Rheinberger of Macquarie University.
They have further presented an $8,000 scholarship to Olivia Widjaja of the University of New South Wales.
Jackie Carpenter, Founder of One Giant Leap Australia outlined that the partnership will support access to STEM programs for Australians from diverse backgrounds.
“We are honoured to partner with EOS on such an inspirational and life changing initiative that links education and industry to skill the STEM workforce of the future. This scholarship program aligns perfectly with the immersive opportunities that the One Giant Leap Australia Foundation delivers.
“Our programs are unique, focussed and equitable, supporting participation from regional, rural and remote communities," Carpenter said.
CEO of EOS Group Dr Ben Greene hopes that the grants will encourage women to pursue a career in STEM.
“As a leader in our industry, EOS acknowledges the important role it can play to inspire students to seek out and pursue education and future careers in STEM,” Dr Greene said.
“We recognise that women are under-represented in STEM careers and are committed to supporting the gender equity of Australia’s workforce. The EOS Scholarships for Future Excellence in STEM also reflect the need to encourage and support continued interest in STEM areas from high school and into university.”
The program will provide support of between $4,000 to $8,000 to help pursue study in the field, including purchasing study equipment and technology.
EOS is currently one of Australia's largest commercial space entities, and has a keen interest in overseeing the development of STEM capabilities among the next generation of Australians.
[Related: Kleos expands satellite operations team]
Liam Garman
Liam began his career as a speechwriter at New South Wales Parliament before working for world-leading campaigns and research agencies in Sydney and Auckland. Throughout his career, Liam has managed and executed a range of international media and communications campaigns spanning politics, business, industrial relations and infrastructure. He’s since shifted his attention to researching and writing extensively on geopolitics and defence, specifically in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and is undertaking a Masters in Strategy and Security from UNSW Canberra.
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