A University of Limerick student has received a prestigious civil engineering scholarship.
International student Madissen Cayla Ashlee Pangestu, who is from Jakarta in Indonesia, received the Arup Scholarship for Women in Civil Engineering at a ceremony held recently at UL.
The award consists of a once-off €5,000 bursary payment to assist the student with their studies and recognises excellence in civil engineering.
Madissen, who is in her third year of study at UL, received the award based on her academic performance in her first year of the Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering after completing first year in the Common Entry Engineering programme.
This programme allows students to specialise in different engineering disciplines after year one.
Madissen’s interest in engineering and construction began at home, she explained.
“A lot of my family works in construction or a related field. My father is a contractor, and my mother is an interior designer. I also have a cousin who is an architect, so engineering seemed like a good career option. I had originally considered architecture, but I like maths and physics, so I picked civil engineering. I don’t regret that decision at all because I'm loving my course now.”
Ireland was her first choice for international study, along with her sister who came here to study two years before her.
“I applied to UL and another Irish university. I was offered a place in both and was comparing the student life as well. I picked UL because it looked more vibrant.”
The scholarship award will act as point of encouragement as she continues with her studies.
“The award has made me feel like I'm on the right track, and that there is more to achieve in the world and more to contribute to in the field of civil engineering as well,” Madissen explained.
The Arup Scholarship for Women in Civil Engineering was established in 2016 along with the Arup Integrated Design Project Awards in Civil Engineering.
The awards at UL were designed to reward excellence in civil engineering. The Integrated Design Project Awards comprise two group and two individual awards and are given in the following categories:
- Best Group Presentation: €2,000
- Group Presentation Runners-Up: €1,000
- Best Structural Engineering Design: €1,500
- Best Geotechnical Design: €1,500
Speaking at time the scholarship was launched, then Director of Arup, John Reale, said: “Arup is delighted to sponsor these scholarship, bursary and award programmes at UL.
“Supporting further education is hugely important to us as a firm and we have a long-established commitment to diversity and equality.”
Arup also supports a bursary programme at UL for Access students who come from groups that have been under-represented in the university sector.