Rittal announces recipients of its ‘Women in Tech’ EFC scholarships

Rittal Systems has named Anqi Xu from the University of British Columbia and Aliya Dube of the University of Manitoba as the recipients of the 2021 Electro-Federation Canada ‘Women in Tech’ scholarships sponsored by Rittal. In a statement released by the company, Rittal notes that this year’s scholarships are important as they recognize that women and BIPOC have a vital contribution to make in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Rittal pioneered this scholarship in 2019 and awards it to deserving women to help them to pursue their dreams in the electrical industry.

André Bousette, president of Rittal Systems, said, “Rittal is delighted to present our 2021 ’Women in Tech’ scholarships to these very talented young ladies – Anqi Xu from the University of B.C., and Aliya Dube of the University of Manitoba, who are both excelling in their Engineering studies, but also taking the time to advocate for women in STEM and in the community. We are glad that Rittal can contribute in a small way to the bright futures of these worthy winners, and we congratulate them for their stellar achievements.”

The first scholarship recipient, Anqi Xu, is currently studying Engineering Physics at the University of British Columbia. Anqi is passionate about the intersection of the environment and engineering, as well as theoretical physics research. She says, “I am honoured to receive this scholarship as it motivates me in proving what I do matters and pushes me to continue to explore all avenues of engineering. I hope that this helps advocate for women in STEM, especially women of colour, and further educational opportunities in engineering! I want to thank Rittal and EFC for empowering women in STEM and for choosing me to receive this wonderful opportunity!”

She adds, “Being a student right now is hard. Not only is it taxing emotionally, but also financially. With this scholarship, I would have more time to pursue engineering in all forms, with increased involvement in my design team and afterschool activities, alleviating some of the stress that comes with being a student. Thank you very much for affording me this opportunity!”

Aliya Dube, studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Manitoba, is a recipient of the second Rittal Advancing Women in Tech scholarship. Dube says, “Although I have fallen in love with the profession, this extra financial freedom will allow me to put more time into developing hard skills through hands-on experiences, providing me with an opportunity to better myself as a student and engineer. I hope scholarships like these continue to support diversity in STEM and demonstrate that there is a place for women and BIPOC at the table. I am so grateful for the generosity of EFC and Rittal and am honoured to receive this award.

Dube further adds, “I am incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the Rittal Advancing Women in Tech scholarship. By receiving this scholarship, I will be able to allocate more time to my extracurricular educational pursuits and further focus on my studies. I am honoured to be recognized for my hard work and community involvement and will continue to provide mentorship and support throughout my engineering career.”