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Samia Arshad Mehar from the University of Technology Sydney has walked away with a scholarship worth $5,000.
Cyber security firm ESET has announced this year’s winner of its 2025 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship.
Samia Arshad Mehar, currently studying a bachelor of cybersecurity and data analytics at Sydney’s University of Technology, won the scholarship, now in its fourth year.
Mehar’s scholarship, which is worth $5,000, was awarded by the head of the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre, Stephanie Crowe, at ESET’s Sydney office on 15 July.
“I’d like to sincerely thank ESET and the Australian Cyber Security Centre for this amazing opportunity. Being selected for the Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship is truly an honour. I applied because cyber security is a field I’m passionate about, and I believe diverse perspectives are essential for solving complex challenges in tech,” Mehar (pictured alongside Crowe) said in a 16 July statement.
“This scholarship not only recognises my academic efforts and dedication to cyber security but also serves as a huge encouragement for me and, hopefully, for many other young women considering careers in STEM.”
ASD chief Crowe said the award was a celebration of women’s growing involvement in the cyber security workforce.
“ASD’s history began with the ‘Garage Girls’, a remarkable group of women who decoded signals during World War II and helped shorten the conflict. Their legacy laid the foundation for the diverse cyber security talent we need today,” Crowe said.
“We’ve come a long way but initiatives like this scholarship are vital in encouraging and supporting the next generation of skilled female cyber specialists.”
“Partnering with ASD and Stephanie Crowe this year has added meaningful weight to this mission, and we look forward to continuing to back the next generation of women shaping cyber security in Australia,” Walia said.
ESET’s Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship is part of the company’s broader initiative to get more women into the cyber workforce by supporting young women enrolled in undergraduate STEM courses.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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