Media release
Wins all round with scholarships
Thursday 17 September 2009
La Trobe’s Jeremy Priest may have only just begun his civil engineering degree but already he has taken some giant steps to ensuring his future in the engineering industry.
The first year student and Castlemaine Secondary School graduate is the recipient of this year’s City of Greater Bendigo Civil Engineering Scholarship, a prestigious position offered to one student each academic year.
The scholarship, sponsored by the City of Greater Bendigo, is an incentive to keep young engineering students working in regional areas, a benefit that La Trobe University’s head of civil engineering, Professor Joe Petrolito believes the community cannot do without.
‘Many students who study in Bendigo take up positions in the region and it is likely the City of Greater Bendigo scholarship will encourage another civil engineer to live and work locally, benefiting the community as a whole.’
Jeremy is also provided with around $23, 000 of financial aid over the duration of his degree. This allows Jeremy some freedom to concentrate on his studies during the semester and work for the City of Greater Bendigo during his vacation periods, a position envied by other students.
‘I am looking forward to the opportunity that the City of Greater Bendigo has given me and feel the experience gained working in the civil engineering field will be rewarding.’
The scholarship also sees Jeremy partake in a mentorship program run by the City of Greater Bendigo engineers, which ensures he learns far more than just the physical skills his profession requires.
Manager Asset Planning and Design for the City of Greater Bendigo, Brett Martini, has called for more businesses to become involved in La Trobe’s Civil Engineering Scholarship program, an incentive that sees 13 scholarships awarded to Bendigo campus students each year.
‘As well as exposing students to practical work and assisting in the selection of their career path post-university, the scholarships are beneficial to the organisation’s recruitment process and can inspire other students to consider working for them.’
Jeremy encourages prospective students to apply for the scholarship, a move he believes will give them the same head start he has been given.
‘I really enjoy working in the engineering office at the City of Greater Bendigo as part of the scholarship and I urge future civil engineering students to apply for scholarships in engineering.’
Media Inquiries:
Zerin Knight, La Trobe University, Media Liaison, Bendigo Campus
Phone 03 5444 7375
Mobile 0428 463 161
Email z.knight@latrobe.edu.au