Scholarships to Assist Women in Boardroom Roles

Canberra women are being encouraged to apply for two ACT Government scholarships aimed at improving their skills in the boardroom.

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said applications for the 2009 ACT Women’s Director Scholarships Program will be accepted until 23 October 2009.

The scholarship recipients will study the Company Directors Course conducted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“These scholarships are another example of the ACT Government’s commitment to achieving a culture of equal representation of women in senior decision-making roles,” Ms Gallagher said.

“As women make up just over half of the ACT population, it is essential that they are encouraged and supported to participate at all levels in the community, and in particular, in top level positions.

“The ACT Women’s Director Scholarships Program supports The ACT Women’s Plan objective of representation and recognition of women and aims to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities of women in the ACT who are, or who aspire to be, in high level, decision-making roles.”

Subjects studied under the scholarship course include: the practice of directorship; directors duties and responsibilities; fundamentals of financial statements; accessing company performance; strategic direction; the legal environment; and improving board effectiveness.

More information and application packages are available from the ACT Office for Women by phoning 6205 0515, logging onto www.women.act.gov.au or emailing women@act.gov.au

Media Contact: Kathryn Roberts Ph: 6205 0242(w) 0402 399 907(m)