Media release
Civil Engineering students receive scholarships from Coliban Water, VicRoads and City of Greater Bendigo
08 June 2007
Regional civil engineering students are reaping the benefits of increased industry support with five La Trobe University students at the Bendigo campus to be awarded lucrative scholarships this week.
First year civil engineering students Carl Oliver and Brent Lim will be awarded this year's Coliban Water Civil Engineering scholarships valued at $12,000 each over 4 years.
Evan Barr will receive this year's City of Greater Bendigo Civil Engineering scholarship valued at $1,250 annually plus paid vacation work.
Luke Dorrington and Andrew Coonan have been selected for this year's VicRoads Civil Engineering Internship Program which provides financial assistance for study and fully-paid work experience.
All students will also have access to career mentoring from professional civil engineers from their sponsoring organisation.
Head of Civil Engineering at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus, Professor Joe Petrolito, said the organisations were to be commended for their ongoing support of regional engineering students.
"There is a critical shortage of civil engineers across Australia. These programs provide an opportunity to showcase to our student-engineers the exciting career opportunities available locally with the aim of attracting and retaining skilled civil engineers in regional areas.
"These programs are also highly valued by our students not just because of the funding support but for the valuable industry experience they gain by working with these organisations during their course and seeing first-hand the diversity of civil engineering careers on offer."
Professor Petrolito said the level of support being offered by industry to encourage students to take up civil engineering was exceptional.
"This year some $400,000 in scholarships and support programs have been offered to students to take up civil engineering study at La Trobe University - the largest scholarship offering ever."
He said job opportunities for engineering graduates were exceptional.
"Our graduates receive job offers well before they complete their course and many receive multiple job offers which reflects the high demand for Bendigo graduates. The students chosen for these scholarship/internship programs achieved excellent results and demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to pursuing a career in the civil engineering field in regional Victoria."
For more information on civil engineering progams offered by La Trobe University visit: www.latrobe.edu.au/ceps.
Karyn O'Brien, Media Consultant, 03 5622 1636, Karyn.obrien@bigpond.com