Gemma Tipper has been picked as the first recipient of a bursary scheme for female students looking to study a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) related degree at university.

Miss Tipper, 18, from Onchan, said: ’I’m delighted to be chosen for the bursary and I feel inspired to push myself as a result.

’I can’t wait to get started.’

She is an International Baccalaureate student from King William’s College,

Telecoms company Sure introduced the bursary, believed to be the first of its kind in the island, at the end of January.

Miss Tipper is said to have been selected for her interest and knowledge in computer science, her extra-curricular work placements and her forward-thinking attitude.

Sure said she was one of many local students to apply.

She is looking forward to start studying for a degree this September at the University of Bath. She aspires to eventually study for a Masters in computer science.

Miss Tipper will receive £1,500 a year to support her studies.

Additionally, she’ll undertake six weeks’ paid work experience at Sure every year throughout the bursary as well as receiving ongoing support from female mentors in senior positions at Sure.

Lucienne De La Mare, human resources (HR) director at Sure, said: ’We were blown away with Gemma’s application for the bursary and can’t wait to see her take her first steps towards what we expect to be a very successful career.

’At Sure we’re committed to supporting and developing local talent and this bursary aims to do that as well as diversify the local telecoms and technology sectors.

’This is just one way that we’re supporting the island’s economy as it gears up for an increasingly digital future.’

According to Women in Tech, female representation in the sector has stalled over the last decade.

Within telecoms and technology women make up just 22% of the UK workforce, according to the 2018 Labour Force survey, and only 12% of professional engineers are women. Business News has reported on a non-profit initiative called Love Tech, run by a group of island female business leaders and technologists.

Angela van den Berg, chairman of Love Tech, said: ’UK statistics show that just 24% of university graduates in STEM subjects are women, with just 6% of these women going on to work in the digital sector as an example.

’We were also startled to find out that the proportion of professionals in core STEM occupations represented by women is only 22%.'