GITA for first-year student

USQ first-year Spatial Science student Peter Worthington has been awarded a Geospatial Information and Technology Association (GITA) student bursary.

Peter was one of six students from different parts of Australia and New Zealand to receive a bursary, which is given to students studying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) related courses. It is worth $5,000 over three years.

Designed to encourage students to take up geospatial studies, Peter said that the bursary would help him complete his degree.

'Without the bursary I would not be studying, financially I would not be able to afford it,' he said.

'The most important thing for me is making sure my bills are paid and that is what I will use the money for.'

Following a suggestion from Faculty of Engineering and Surveying staff, Peter applied for the bursary over the internet, confident that he was in with a chance.

'I was told the minute I turned up at the University that I should apply, so I put in my online application,' he said.

'After that I rang them (GITA) and asked about the bursary and they basically said that I was what they were looking for.'

USQ Associate Professor (Surveying) Kevin McDougall said that the bursaries were a new initiative that had support from both universities and industry.

'This is the first round of these scholarships and is also the first time that they have been offered,' he said.

'GITA came up with the scholarships after coming to an arrangement with some infrastructure companies who agreed to provide scholarship funding.

'One of these companies was the Gold Coast City Council, who sponsored Peter's bursary.'

Associate Professor McDougall added that the scholarships were providing a link between students and industry.

'As part of the bursary the students get the opportunity to get paid work while they are studying and have a job ready once they graduate,' he said.

'It is a response to the current skills shortage in the industry and a way in which partnerships can be created between universities and industry.'

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628