Springfield supports USQ students with five scholarships

Springfield Land Corporation (SLC) Chairman, Maha Sinnathamby has announced the company will fund five University of Southern Queensland (USQ) scholarships over two years worth a combined total of almost $100,000.

Mr Sinnathamby said one scholarship would be awarded in 2008 and four in 2009.

Applicants for this year's bursary would need to be full-time students at the USQ Springfield campus who had already completed at least one year of their studies. The 2009 scholarships would be open to both commencing and continuing Springfield students.

Director of USQ Springfield Doug Fraser said the five scholarships would be awarded to students who lived in the greater Springfield area, who had been actively involved in extra-curricular and community activities.

Signing of an agreement between Springfield Land Corporation and USQ took place yesterday in the office of SLC.

'My passion for education is genuine,' Mr Sinnathamby said.

'The commitment to education in Springfield since 1992 has resulted in the creation of Education City, the wonderful University of Southern Queensland as well as six schools.

'We've gone from having no students in Springfield to over 6200 students studying here across different campuses including schools operated by the Anglican, Uniting and Catholic churches and that is increasing by about 1200 per annum.

We at Springfield Land Corporation are very excited about the opportunity to make a real difference to the education and lives of five intelligent and dedicated local students.

'One of the most important things we are doing in greater Springfield is uplifting society in the entire region. It is an area that historically has been economically and socially deprived and I believe these scholarships will help immeasurably.'

Mr Fraser said the scholarships were a remarkable investment by Mr Sinnathamby and Springfield Land Corporation in the future of Greater Springfield and USQ.

'The scholarships will be a head start for the Springfield students who are selected and will be the difference between them starting their careers with a significant education debt, or being financially unencumbered," Mr Fraser said.

'The Springfield Land Corporation Continuing Scholarships are worth a maximum of $17,000 each, while the Springfield Land Corporation Commencing Scholarships are worth up to $20,800. I thank Mr Sinnathamby and Springfield Land Corporation for their continued support of USQ and our students.'

To find out more about applying for the new scholarships contact USQ on 1800 260 500 or email study@usq.edu.au.

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979