Part of ESET’s global initiative to encourage more women into cybersecurity careers, the scholarship supports female students currently enrolled in undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees, with a demonstrated passion for cybersecurity.

The award was presented at ESET’s Sydney office by ACSC Head Stephanie Crowe and ESET APAC President Parvinder Walia, highlighting their joint effort to support the next generation of female cybersecurity professionals.

The scholarship is part of ESET’s broader commitment to closing the gender gap in cybersecurity, an industry that remains disproportionately male, despite growing awareness of the need for diverse perspectives.

With an estimated 5,000 additional cybersecurity professionals needed each year to meet national targets, programs like this play a vital role in backing the people who will help secure Australia’s digital future.

Appointed earlier this year, Stephanie Crowe is the current Head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, one of the nation’s most senior cybersecurity leadership roles.

Her participation in this year’s scholarship presentation reflects the growing collaboration between government, industry, and education to create more inclusive entry points into the field.

As Ms Crowe said, “We celebrate the growing involvement of women in the cyber 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 cybersecurity talent we need today. 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.”

Parvinder Walia, President for Asia Pacific and Japan, ESET said, “At ESET, we believe in building a  future that reflects the diversity of the world it protects, and that starts with access, support, and visibility.

“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 cybersecurity in Australia.”

On being awarded the 2025 ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, Samia Arshad Mehar said,” 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 cybersecurity is a field I’m passionate about, and I believe diverse perspectives are essential for solving complex challenges in tech,”

“This scholarship not only recognises my academic efforts and dedication to cybersecurity, but also serves as a huge encouragement for me and hopefully for many other young women considering careers in STEM.” 

Samia is currently completing a Bachelor of Cybersecurity and Data Analytics at the University of Technology Sydney, where she maintains a GPA of 6.75 (on a 7.0 scale) and was named to the Dean’s List in 2024.

Her dream is to work at the intersection of cybersecurity and data analytics, utilising data-driven insights to identify and prevent threats and help organisations make smarter, safer decisions.

Outside her studies, Samia enjoys swimming, going to the gym and spending time with her family. She is also passionate about continuous learning, signing up for short courses and certifications to grow her knowledge.

About the ESET Women in Cyber Security Scholarship

The ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship was established in 2016 to support women pursuing careers in information security.

Since its launch, the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship has supported over 28 women worldwide in pursuing careers in technology in the U.S.,

Canada, Australia, and the U.K. Despite increasing awareness, women still make up only about 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce, according to the latest (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study.

To help shift that balance, the scholarship provides financial and professional support to women studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Open to Australian citizens and permanent residents, applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited Australian university and hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent GPA in 9.0 scale).