Engineering donation to promote STEMÂ

Sheffield Hallam University has received a £50,000 engineering donation to support women in STEM.

The two-year grant, from Rotherham-based engineering firm AESSEAL, will be used to encourage and support women in engineering, with more than 40 students benefitting from the donation.

AESSEAL's group engineering director, Stephen Shaw, formally made the donation whilst visiting the university's Hertha Ayrton STEM Centre recently, where he met current engineering students and took a look at current research projects, including robotics and 3D printing.

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Dr Leigh Fleming, deputy head of engineering at Sheffield Hallam, said: "The support of AESSEAL is hugely appreciated as we strive as a department to encourage more women to study and work in engineering. We have had dozens of success stories recently coming from our student body and we want these to continue."

Chris Rea, managing director of AESSEAL and Sheffield Hallam honorary doctorate recipient, said: "Sheffield Hallam's engineering facilities and departments are making a valuable contribution to the region and we recognise this important work. We are pleased to be able to make this donation to such an important university, which is creating the next generation of engineers."

Mechanical engineering student Jodie Howlett, who met Stephen during his visit to the university, added: "Donations like this make a huge contribution to our studies, enabling us to gain greater experience, enjoy invaluable placements and grow our skills to further our careers."

The department of engineering and mathematics is one of the largest in the UK, with 2,800 students.