Webuild and University of Queensland empower women in engineering through new Scholarship Program

Webuild, in partnership with The University of Queensland (UQ), is proud to launch the Webuild Women in Engineering Scholarship, an initiative developed to support and empower the next generation of women in engineering.

This scholarship reflects Webuild’s commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and gender equity across the engineering and construction industries, and we are pleased to announce the inaugural recipients:

• Ekheera Birk, currently undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
• Gabrielle Sippel, currently undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering) 

The Webuild Women in Engineering Scholarship provides financial support and professional development opportunities to students undertaking engineering degrees, helping build a more diverse, skilled and innovative construction workforce for the future.

Marco Assorati, Senior Executive Vice President Operations Oceania, Webuild, said the scholarship demonstrates the company’s commitment to strengthening the future engineering workforce needed to deliver Australia's critical infrastructure projects.

“Engineering and construction projects are strengthened by diverse perspectives and inclusive teams. Through the Webuild Women in Engineering Scholarship, we are supporting talented students to pursue their ambitions, while helping build a more representative workforce for the future.

“By investing in emerging women engineers today, we are helping create pathways for greater participation, leadership, and innovation across our industry in the years ahead.”

For student recipient Gabrielle Sippel, the scholarship is a crucial stepping stone towards a meaningful career.

“I hope to use my skills to design sustainable and long-term infrastructure that genuinely improves people’s daily lives. I want to build structures that don’t just fill a space, but actively support the community surrounding them, creating a cleaner more resilient future. 

“Having direct access to amazing industry opportunities and mentorship from the team at Webuild will help me bridge the gap between my theoretical knowledge and the real world.”

This scholarship forms part of Webuild’s broader commitment to advancing STEM education and increasing the representation of women across the engineering and construction industries. 

Webuild has proudly been part of the Queensland community since the early 1970s and continues to invest in local talent and capability to help deliver the infrastructure needed for a sustainable future.

Since 2022, Webuild has partnered with UQ to deliver scholarships that support the future of the engineering industry. This latest scholarship expands that partnership by supporting more women to pursue careers in engineering. 

With the legacy of Australian subsidiary, Clough, the Group’s Scholarship Program has awarded more than 300 scholarships to tertiary students across the nation since 1972.