Optus Digital Innovation Scholarships

The Optus Digital Innovation Scholarships are open for you to apply if you:

• Are an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident; and
• Are in your first year of either:
  Bachelor of Science (Data Science); or
  Bachelor of Engineering - and intend to take up the 'Electronic Systems and Internet of Things Engineering' major in year 2; or
  Dual degree Combination where Data Science or 'Electronic Systems an internet of Things Engineering ' is a major.
• Are studying full time.

The value of the scholarship shall be up to $5,000 per year for up to 2 years. Payments will be made in one lump sum after census date of SP1 once you have confirmed your major in the year following the awarding. Then again in the next year after census date of SP1, after meeting the on-going eligibility requirements. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record from secondary school; and
• A copy of your resume; and
• A written statement of no more than 500 words addressing:
  1. Why you are interested in digital innovation and your career plans; and
  2. A brief essay based around ONE of the following topics:
     1. The provision of clean and safe drinking water for the residents of Queensland is an ongoing challenge. Drawing n examples drawn from across the water value chain, discuss how Internet-of-Thins and /or data analytics tools and technologies can be used to enable the availability of clean drinking water for industrial uses into the future?
     2. How could IoT and /or data analytics enable sustainable and drought -resilient farming into the future? How would these technologies change operations, product quality, and user experience? Discuss a vision of the future.
     3. JCU and many startups are currently exploring the commercial use of micro-and macroalgae - one of Far North Queensland's promising natural resources. Use cases include using algae as new sources of protein, the manufacture of high-value add nutraceuticals and as a resource for the generation of biofuels. How could IoT technologies and data analytics assist in developing these products and their manufacture?

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

Innovation is built into our DNA at Optus and we believe that the future prosperity of Australia rests on technologies that haven’t been invented yet. We know that Australian’s are inventors, responsible for innovations that have changed the world, from Wi-Fi and Google Maps to the cochlear implant and spray-on skin.
To tap into regional Australia’s entrepreneurial spirit and allow it to flourish the Optus Digital Innovation Scholarship Program recognises the best and brightest candidates pursuing undergraduate degrees in the fields of IOT Engineering and Data Science at James Cook University.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship shall be up to $5,000 per year for up to 2 years. Payments will be made in one lump sum after census date of SP1 once you have confirmed your major in the year following the awarding. Then again in the next year after census date of SP1, after meeting the on-going eligibility requirements. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Optus Digital Innovation Scholarships are open for you to apply if you:

• Are an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident; and
• Are in your first year of either:
  Bachelor of Science (Data Science); or
  Bachelor of Engineering - and intend to take up the 'Electronic Systems and Internet of Things Engineering' major in year 2; or
  Dual degree Combination where Data Science or 'Electronic Systems an internet of Things Engineering ' is a major.
• Are studying full time.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Academic merit or potential; (50% weighting)
• Written statement:
  1. Why they are interested in digital innovation. (25% weighting)
  2. Where they see the opportunities for digital innovation in Northern Australia. (25 weighting)
• Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the candidate has, or will receive any other scholarship assistance during their studies

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record from secondary school; and
• A copy of your resume; and
• A written statement of no more than 500 words addressing:
  1. Why you are interested in digital innovation and your career plans; and
  2. A brief essay based around ONE of the following topics:
     1. The provision of clean and safe drinking water for the residents of Queensland is an ongoing challenge. Drawing n examples drawn from across the water value chain, discuss how Internet-of-Thins and /or data analytics tools and technologies can be used to enable the availability of clean drinking water for industrial uses into the future?
     2. How could IoT and /or data analytics enable sustainable and drought -resilient farming into the future? How would these technologies change operations, product quality, and user experience? Discuss a vision of the future.
     3. JCU and many startups are currently exploring the commercial use of micro-and macroalgae - one of Far North Queensland's promising natural resources. Use cases include using algae as new sources of protein, the manufacture of high-value add nutraceuticals and as a resource for the generation of biofuels. How could IoT technologies and data analytics assist in developing these products and their manufacture.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Dean, College of Science and Engineering (Chair); and
• Head of Engineering, or nominee; and
• Optus Chair of Digital Innovation and IoT; and
• Other members deemed appropriate, as determined by the Chair.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• Not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award;
• To award a Scholarship for a period of one or more years; and
• To extend a Scholarship for the existing recipient.

The Selection committee will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Ongoing eligibility

• The recipient must maintain a course GPA of 5.5 or above.
• The recipient must be enrolled full time (minimum 12 credit points per semester)
• Where the recipient fails to meet this requirement evidence of special circumstances contributing to the reduced GPA must be provided to the Selection Committee for consideration of ongoing eligibility.
• The recipient of the scholarship shall continue to receive the award on condition that in the opinion of the Selection Committee, and on advice from the head of the school in which the recipient is undertaking a course of study, that the recipient maintains a satisfactory level of performance. Where it is determined that the level of academic performance is unsatisfactory the Selection Committee may in its absolute discretion cancel the award or suspend the award for such time as it may determine and/or until academic performance is considered satisfactory. Where an award is cancelled pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may, for the remainder of the term for which the original holder would have been entitled to it, be awarded to another suitable candidate.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• Recipients will be expected to provide an updated CV around the time of payment of scholarship each year.
• At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to you.
• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award. Where an award is terminated pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may be awarded to another suitable applicant.
• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award. Where an award is terminated pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may be awarded to another suitable applicant.
• If the holder of an award fails to comply with any of these provisions or any provision relating to a particular award or with any conditions imposed under these provisions or the provisions relating to a particular award, the Council may terminate the award or withhold any further emoluments or take such action as it may deem necessary to enforce compliance with the provision or performance of the condition by the holder.
• The requirements of the Scholarship shall not make the awarding of the Scholarship conditional upon the recipient providing unremunerated services or products to the donor.
• In the event that the recipient suspends their study, the scholarship shall be terminated.
• In the event that the recipient takes an approved leave of absence the Selection Committee will make a decision regarding deferring or terminating.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the scholarships office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.

Where there is a fund maintaining the award, the annual value of the award shall be approximately equal to the annual income from the fund.

Income from a fund not expended on the award which it maintains, shall be added to and become part of the fund.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.