NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation and James Cook University are offering two $15,000 marine science scholarships for local high-school students.
The scholarships are to give students financial support and real-world experience working alongside researchers and port industry managers.
Applications for the scholarships are open now; they close on 31 January.
JCU Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) principal researcher Dr Nathan Waltham said the scholarships were an opportunity for high-school students to develop skills in marine science and management of north Queensland’s coastal ecosystems.
“Working closely with the scholarship winners is highly rewarding – we have the opportunity to impart our knowledge and skills, beyond that learned in the lecture classroom,” Dr Waltham said.
“The students will be part of a real research team, participating in really exciting real-world marine science research.”
NQBP CEO Nicolas Fertin said the scholarship program is part of a long-running partnership between the university and the government-owned port authority.
“The partnership connects industry with world-leading researchers in addition to assisting future generations in marine science,” Mr Fertin said.
“We are proud to offer JCU students the opportunity to learn about the port industry and important marine habitat management in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
“This is an amazing opportunity for students to get real-world exposure to industry alongside our environmental experts helping to launch their careers post-study.”
JCU offers marine and freshwater biology degrees, and NQBP oversees three priority ports: Hay Point, Mackay and Abbot Point, located on the shores of a World Heritage Area.
The scholarship program is part of NQBP’s broader five-year partnership with JCU, where researchers monitor the local marine environment surrounding four ports.
