North Queensland Bulk Ports Marine Science Scholarship

The North Queensland Bulk Ports Marine Science Scholarship is open to competition among candidates who:

• are a domestic student, i.e. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
• are a commencing student in the year the scholarship is to be awarded(school leaver); and
• are enrolled or intend to enrol in a Bachelor of Marine Science; and
• are enrolled or intend to enrol full-time (minimum of 9 credit points) at the JCU Cairns or Townsville Campus.

Students of Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander heritage are highly encouraged to apply, especially those from the Hay Point/Mackay, Abbot Point or Weipa regions.

Students identifying as female are also highly encouraged to apply.

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 per year, for 3 years (total value of $15,000).

The Scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

In addition NQBP will also pay for accommodation costs in Mackay for: one week for the 1st and 2nd year and two weeks for the 3rd year, for the NQBP work experience component; and provision of staff resources for delivery of work experience component each year.

Applications must be submitted on the official online application form and be received no later than the advertised close date.
Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your Academic Record
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Why did you want to study marine science at JCU.
  2. What you hope to do with your degree.
  3. Other skills and experience or background.
  4. Placement activities with NQBP require students to be able to meet fitness for work requirements which include vessel-based activities. Is there any reason you may not be able to meet physical fitness for work requirements? If so please discuss why?
  5. (Only if applicable) Short outline of your familial links to the Hay Point/Mackay, Abbot Point or Weipa regions.
• A  character reference attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship;
• Your curriculum vitae;

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents (including a completed application form) and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it 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.

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

A core value of the JCU/NQBP partnership is to provide the opportunity for high school students to study marine science at JCU. Providing this funding support will allow students to focus on achieving the most from their time with JCU, in addition to working closely with JCU and NQBP staff, as part of a mentorship program for potentially a successful career in the ports sector.

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 is $5,000 per year, for 3 years (total value of $15,000).

The Scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

In addition NQBP will also pay for accommodation costs in Mackay for: one week for the 1st and 2nd year and two weeks for the 3rd year, for the NQBP work experience component; and provision of staff resources for delivery of work experience component each year.

Eligibility Criteria

The North Queensland Bulk Ports Marine Science Scholarship will be open to competition among candidates who:

• Are a domestic student, i.e. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
• Are a commencing student in the year the scholarship is to be awarded (school leaver); and
• Are enrolled or intend to enrol in a Bachelor of Marine Science; and
• Are enrolled or intend to enrol full-time (minimum of 9 credit points) at the JCU Cairns or Townsville Campus.

Students of Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander heritage and are highly encouraged to apply, especially those from Hay Point/Mackay, Abbot Point or Weipa regions. Students identifying as female are also highly encouraged to apply.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Academic merit or potential;
• The character of the candidate for the award;
• The level of interest the candidate demonstrates in Marine Science; and
• 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 online application form and be received no later than the advertised close date.
Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record.
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Why you want to study marine science at JCU.
  2. What you hope to do with your degree.
  3. Other skills and experience or background.
  4. Placement activities with NQBP require students to be able to be able to meet fitness for work requirements which include vessel-based activities. Is there any reason you may not be able to meet physical fitness for work requirements? If so please discuss why?
  5. (Only if applicable) Short outline of your familial links to the Hay Point/Mackay, Abbot Point or Weipa regions.
• A Character reference attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship;
• Your curriculum vitae; and

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:

• Dr Nathan Waltham, Principal Research Officer (TropWATER) (Chair), or nominee
• Dr Michael Rasheed, Principal Research Scientist (TropWATER) or nominee;
• Dean, College Science & Engineering or nominee;
• Ms Nicola Stokes, Senior Environmental Advisor, (NQBP) or nominee;
• An additional representative from NQBP (advised by Nicola Stokes); and
• Other members deemed appropriate, as determined by the Chair.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

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;

The Selection committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

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

Ongoing eligibility

• The recipient must maintain a full time enrolment in a Marine Science field of study.
• The recipient must maintain a course GPA of 4.5 or above.
• The recipient must participate in an annual check-in interview with NQBP (in-person or video conference).
• The recipient must participate in media opportunities with NQBP. Examples might include social media takeovers (JCU or NQBP), social posts featuring recipient, media releases.
• The recipient must in both their 1st and 2nd year of study participate in 1 week work experience with TropWater, James Cook University staff, and 1 week work experience with NQBP (cost of accommodation covered by NQBP; travel to be covered by recipient).
• The recipient must in their 3rd year of study participate in 2 weeks work placement with NQBP (cost of accommodation covered by NQBP; travel to be covered by recipient).
• 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.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• At the end of each 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.
• If the holder of an award takes an official leave of absence, the award will be terminated.
• If the holder of the award does not meet the ongoing eligibility as specified in rules the student is required to submit a statement of reasons which will be reviewed by the selection panel.
• 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 Scholarships Office.

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.