The University of Queensland (UQ) is boosting opportunities for students to enrol in its agricultural science and agribusiness studies as demand for skilled workers rises.
The University is offering UQ Merit Scholarships to students enrolling in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science, the Bachelor of Agribusiness or the new majors in the Bachelor of Science at UQ’s Gatton campus in 2014.
UQ will award up to 10 scholarships valued at $6000 each to Year 12 school leavers for their first year of study in these programs.
UQ’s Faculty of Science Associate Dean (Academic) Associate Professor Kim Bryceson said the University was taking on the challenge to promote careers in agriculture and agribusiness to potential students with scholarship winners from 2012 and 2013 already reaping the benefits.
“We are actively encouraging the next generation to consider the diverse and highly rewarding careers in agriculture by offering innovative and industry-relevant degrees at state-of-the-art facilities at our Gatton Campus,“ Associate Professor Bryceson said.
“UQ sees the scholarships as an investment in encouraging future leaders to fill the more than 4000 agriculture-related jobs in Australia each year.”
Former Innisfail student Emily Pattison won a 2013 scholarship to study Agricultural Science at UQ while completing Year 12 last year.
“The scholarship has helped pay for my first year of university so I haven’t had to worry about financial support or getting a part-time job,” Emily said.
“Since commencing my studies at the Gatton Campus I have had the opportunity to work at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry research station and I have become interested tomato breeding and entomology.”
Other 2013 merit award recipients for agriculture related programs included Charlotte Baker from Genesis Christian College, Fynn De Daunton Brisbane State High School, Craig Dingle Shalom College, Ria Garside Rockhampton Grammar School, John Noble Noosa District State High School, Gabrielle Penna Cathedral College, Shannon Sempf Laidley State High School and Claire Tracy from Clayfield College.
UQ welcomed more than 300 students into agriculture related degree programs in 2013.
Applications close on 31 October 2013.
To apply for a merit scholarship, complete the Academic Scholarship application at http://scholarships.uq.edu.au
For more information about these programs, visit www.science.uq.edu.au/study.
