The UNE Growing Regional and Agricultural Students in Science program has just celebrated its 10th year, and is still going from strength to strength. 

Since the initial pilot of the Industry Placement Scholarship (IPS) program in 2007, the program has interacted with more than 6,000 Year 11 and 12 high school students through school visits, and engaged with 300 students as they completed the intensive scholarship program.

The Scholarship is focused upon developing greater awareness of science-based careers in Australian agriculture alongside the tertiary pathways to these careers. From humble beginnings with just 10 applicants in 2007, the program  is now attracting 40-50 applications each year.

The comprehensive Scholarship experience  includes an all-expenses paid Industry Placement Camp, followed by a five-day industry placement in an area of work of the students’ choice. Afterwards, students report back on their experience and a $300 scholarship is awarded to recognise scholarship achievement.

Last week Thursday saw the wrap up the current scholarship program. Students who had completed the program returned to UNE to present on their experience. Vice-Chancellor Professor Annabelle Duncan was also on hand to congratulate the students.

Elizabeth Argue, former GRASS Scholar and now a student at UNE, shares what GRASS meant to her.  

Student comments:

“This whole experience has allowed a passion to solve Agriculture’s problems to thrive and ultimately I know whichever continent I end up on I’ll be promoting new ways of producing the meal that sits upon the dinner table.” (Mitchell Roworth – Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School)

 “This scholarship has given me an opportunity to see what it would be like working as a scientist, I was honoured to complete the scholarship and discover Zoology, UNE.” (Tessa Stewart – Inverell High School)

 “My placement has taught me many new things about how to face a challenging scenario with an open mind and work as a team to get the job done. Working with such a broad range of educated people was great. I had experiences with Vets, research investigators and even farm managers maintaining animals used for trials.” (Kieran Sullivan – Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School)

“The work placement allowed me to gain a real world life experience.” (Matthew Langfield – Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School)

“This has influenced me to be committed and dedicate myself to achieving the best possible outcome at the end of my schooling year so that I can accomplish my goals of study in the agricultural science field and the GRASS program has significantly contributed to that goal by providing me with the contacts and details I need.” (Gabby Joyce – Oxley High School).

Image: VC Annabelle Duncan together with students, industry partners and staff at the recent GRASS reporting back session.