News Release:
Even more scholarships at UNE predicted
| Date 18/3/04 No 053/04 The Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England, Professor Ingrid Moses, speaking yesterday at UNE's Undergraduate Scholarship Presentation Ceremony for 2004, predicted that the University could be presenting even more scholarships in 2005. The University Council would discuss, at its meeting on April 2, whether to increase students' HECS liability to offset cuts in Commonwealth funds for teaching and learning at the University, Professor Moses said. "Any consideration of increasing HECS will be tied to that of increasing the number of scholarships we offer," she explained. "The University has a very strong commitment to access, particularly for country students." UNE has awarded undergraduate scholarships (both new and continuing) for 2004 totalling more than $1 million in value. The scholarships were an expression of the community's continuing support for the University, Professor Moses said. "We have sponsors ranging from individuals and companies to local government councils and alumni organisations," she continued. "We are pleased that many of these sponsors and donors are here today to meet the students they are assisting." More than 100 UNE undergraduates are receiving scholarships this year, and 86 of these were at the presentation ceremony. Professor Moses spoke of the UNE Country Scholarships (for outstanding students from country areas who have to live away from home while studying at university) as being "particularly close to my heart". She established the UNE Country Scholarship Scheme in 1998, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the University College that was to become UNE. "It recognised the fact that Armidale and the region had supported this University for 60 years," she said.
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Megan Chandler, whose Country Scholarship (2001-2003) enabled her to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at UNE, received a Frederick G. White Bursary for Rural Women, making it possible for her to proceed to an Honours year. In presenting, on behalf of all the recipients, a vote of thanks to the scholarship donors and the University, Megan said: "I thank you all for enabling us to follow our dreams." Fifteen students received scholarships awarded for the first time in 2004. These include the UNE / Yvonne Austen Country Scholarship, the UNE Armidale District Country Scholarships, the Country Women's Association of NSW / Earle Page College Equity Scholarship, the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) Undergraduate Planning Scholarship, the New England Credit Union Scholarship, and the Job-Link Plus Nursing Scholarship. Ms Alison McGaffin, Regional Planning Manager for DIPNR, presented the Department's inaugural Planning Scholarships to Claire Stewart and Craig Mortell. Craig, a second-year student in UNE's Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning program, said: "This scholarship means that I can concentrate on my studies free of financial concerns. In addition, the 12 weeks' work experience with the Department is invaluable." Media contact: Professor Ingrid Moses, Vice-Chancellor, UNE, Armidale
(02) 6773 2004 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02)
6773 3049. |
