Bulletin

Issue: May 2006

News

Engineering scholarships help Murrumbidgee Basin

La Trobe University has been awarded a $145,000 grant from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) through the Pratt Water Program, to establish a new industry-supported $600,000 FRRR – La Trobe Civil Engineering Scholarship Scheme.

The pilot project aims to help overcome a critical shortage of civil engineers in the Murrumbidgee Basin and to support infrastructure development to meet the region’s environmental and water management needs.

It will fund ten four-year civil engineering scholarships for students to study the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at the Bendigo campus. With the FRRR and industry partner contributions and vacation employment, each scholarship is valued at $44,000.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Stoddart, said the project will help develop practical solutions to meet critical shortages of engineers in regional communities.

‘There is significant potential for new partners to expand on this program and provide a model for other regional areas.’

Professor Stoddart said the FRRR grant recognised the quality and regional focus of the La Trobe University civil engineering program.

‘Students will come from the Murrumbidgee catchment and be co-sponsored by industry partners. They will be provided with relevant vacation employment to attract them to stay in the area after they graduate.

FRRR Chairman, former leader of the National Party, Mr Ian Sinclair, said his organisation championed the economic and social strength of Australia’s regional, rural and remote communities through partnerships with the private sector, philanthropy and governments.

‘We consider this partnership with La Trobe University and the Pratt Foundation as a key program to help our rural communities achieve their economic aspirations, whilst ensuring the careful management of our environment.’

The Murrumbidgee Catchment covers some 84,000 square kilometres. It includes Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Balranald, Griffith, and Yass.

Irrigated agriculture in the Basin contributes 42 per cent of New South Wales’ grapes and half of Australia’s rice production. Dryland salinity is estimated to cost the region at least $43m per year.

The FRRR /La Trobe Civil Engineering Scholarship Scheme will begin in 2007 and applications will be advertised through schools and local media later this year.