Computer Science student Liana Ahmed has received the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary. Eighteen-year-old Liana studies at the University of Edinburgh and is among six other women in the UK to have been given this fantastic opportunity from Amazon.
“We want to foster the next generation of high-tech superstars in Britain and help people from all walks of life invent for the future. We hope that over time this new scheme will make a big difference to many young women who one day will become future leaders in innovation," says Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon.
Liana's love for anything tech-related started at a very early age, when she started to teach herself computing skills. This helped foster a desire to pursue computing through school and university, regardless of any obstacles.
“I love gadgets and I’ve always been into computers. “I was a bit of a rebel growing up. In primary school we had golden time, and we could do whatever we wanted during that time, but a lot of games websites that I liked were blocked. So I went home and taught myself ways to get around the blocks," said Liana to Edinburgh Evening News.
"From there I started watching and learning from different tech YouTubers. When I was 15 years old the family computer broke, which made doing homework very difficult. My parents were not in a rush to replace it so I withdrew £500 from my savings account and built my own computer."
Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary aims to encourage women from less advantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM industries, with the overall goal to improve and diversify the gender balance in the workforce.
Amazon offers funding of between £3,500 and £7,500 per year to one female student to take up a degree relating to high-tech innovation in the UK. In addition to providing financial support the students will be mentored by a female Amazon employee who works in the software space, on careers advice, CV building, and interview training. The students will also have the opportunity to apply for an internship at the local Amazon Development Centre.
The scheme originated in Edinburgh and has been running there for three years.
“We’ve been working with the team at Amazon for two years to bring the bursary scheme to our students, and we’re thrilled that it is extended beyond 2017. Students in the scheme have benefitted hugely, not only from Amazon’s financial support, but also from the opportunity to get experience and mentoring from professionals at the top of their game," says Professor Johanna Moore, Chair of Artificial Intelligence and Head of School of Informatics, Edinburgh University.