The University of Newcastle, Australia

Business and community support for academic excellence will be celebrated at the University of Newcastle Central Coast campus on Tuesday 17 May with the Scholars’ Week Scholarships and Awards night.

A range of scholarships and prizes will be awarded to students tonight for their academic achievements at the joint University and Hunter TAFE event.

Pro Vice-Chancellor External Relations and Director of Central Coast Campus, Professor Stephen Crump, said financial support from business, professional and community organisations was invaluable.

“Business, industry and community organisations are the driving forces behind the growth and development of the Central Coast.

"Recognition of achievement provides invaluable support for our students and is a key link to their community.

"The University and Hunter TAFE are working to expand collaborations with business, industry and community organisations to address local skills shortages and harness the valuable experience these groups can provide our students."

Scholarships being awarded include the Edith and Joseph McBride Scholarship, which supports a nursing student studying at the Central Coast campus and the Sanitarium Scholarship for a student undertaking a research project as part of the Food Technology Honours degree.

Delta Electricity also generously funds four student scholarships specifically for Central Coast students, including a scholarship for an Indigenous student.

For the first time, the new Dr Beryl Collier Indigenous Education Scholarship is being awarded. This scholarship is being funded by a $300,000 bequest from the late Dr Beryl Collier.

Scholarships are also provided by the Killarney Bateau Lions Club, The Entrance Lions Club and the Co-op Bookshop. The University of Newcastle Academic and Equity Scholarships will also be presented at the event.

Student prizes are supported by Community Audit Services, Hoddinott Consulting, LWM Group, Kelly and Partners, Robson Partners, Pearson Education Australia, CPA Australia, Australian Federation of University Women, Central Coast Campus Friends, Zonta International, Soroptomist International and the Kindergarten Union of NSW.

"The University of Newcastle and Hunter TAFE are grateful for the support offered for students studying at the Central Coast campus," Professor Crump said.

“We will continue to work closely with our community to provide access to high quality education."

Anyone wishing to donate to the Central Coast campus can contact the UON Foundation on (02) 4921 7454 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/foundation.

About the UON Foundation:
The UON Foundation is the platform for philanthropic support for the University of Newcastle. Donations help fund student scholarships, academic positions and research. The Foundation also aims to create and sustain relationships between the community, business, alumni and the University.

Photo opportunity: The Scholarships and Awards night will take place from 6.00pm, Tuesday 17 May, at Lecture Theatre 1 on the Central Coast campus, Chittaway Road, Ourimbah.

Further information: Catharina Boer, Ph: 02 4348 4184.