48 students to share $228,000 worth of scholarships in 2002

A total of 48 students will study at Southern Cross University this year under Academic Scholarships provided by the Vice-Chancellor's and Industry Scholarships Schemes. The Scholarships have a total value of $228,000 and cover all SCU's disciplinary areas of study.

Official certificates for the scholarships awarded to 23 commencing students will be presented at a ceremony hosted by SCU's Pro Vice-Chancellor, Enterprise and International, Professor Angela Delves, on Friday, 22 February at 10.00 am. The awards ceremony at the University's Invercauld Centre will congratulate the eight first year undergraduates who have been awarded Vice Chancellor's Scholarships valued at $5,000 per annum, and the 15 who will receive Industry sponsored scholarships valued at between $2,000 and $5,000 per annum.

Of the commencing students, 18 completed high schools in the University's feeder region of Northern NSW-Gold Coast, and the other five in the Hunter Valley, Glen Innes, Mackay and Atherton in North Queensland and the Bavarian International School.

The ceremony will also mark the involvement of three new Industry sponsors, Mayne Investments Limited (two scholarships), Rutherfords Accountants and Tweed Shire Council (four scholarships).

Attending the ceremony will be the 16 winners of SCU's Residential Scholarships valued at $3,250 each. These Scholarships cover accommodation costs for the full academic year at the University's Richmond College in Lismore. Four other Residential Scholarships have been awarded in Coffs Harbour.

Guests at the ceremony will include senior academic staff from SCU, regional High School Principals, Careers Advisers, industry sponsors and the scholarship winners' parents and friends.

"This is the eighth year of the University's Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme and the fourth in which our Residential Scholarships have been offered," the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard, said. "The scheme is designed to attract students with the potential to achieve at the highest level, with preference given, where possible, to graduates from regional high schools.

"We recognise the need to retain the best students from the region and are committed to providing them with the opportunity to study at Southern Cross and to benefit from the support offered locally by family and friends," he added.

Professor Rickard said that the University's industry partners should be particularly acknowledged for the level of their generous commitment.

The Industry Scholarships Scheme is supported by NBN Television and sponsored by The North Coast Ad Agency, Kirklands Coaches, Mayne Investments Limited, Rutherfords Accountants, Tweed Shire Council, Brisbane-based Amlink Technologies, Fletcher's Fotographics, Xerox Shop Lismore, Summerland Credit Union, Ballina RSL, Casino RSM, Tourism NSW, Ballina Beach Resort, NorthPower, Norco, Southern Cross University's Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Lone Star Steakhouse, Tempo Services Ltd, The Koori Mail and the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay.