Underrepresentation of many groups in STEM disciplines is one of the biggest challenges towards recruiting a diverse cohort of trainees. MaQTech recognizes that to be equitable we must look beyond traditional metrics such as number of publications at undergraduate institutions or GPA to give all candidates equal opportunities.
MaQTech strives to support diversity throughout, from recruitment to completion. Our strategy includes actionable items such as:
- Participate in and advertise our openings at the Canadian Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
- Participate in career fairs organized at events of the Canadian Black Scientists Network
- Team up with existing programs such as The Verna J. Kirkness Education program for indigenous high school girls to create a diverse pipeline
- Plan and encourage mentorship activities through our events
- Liaise with existing groups for unrepresented minorities in science and engineering at the participating institutions
We strive to provide students with all the tools and skills they need to succeed, recognizing that to bring everyone up to speed, underprivileged students may need supplemental training that they did not previously receive.