Scholarship boosts careers in plant science for women

A new $5000 scholarship for women students at UQ Gatton has attracted backing from the multinational Dow Chemical Corporation.

The annual award is designed to attract more capable young women to careers in plant science.

Dr Len Bahnisch of the University’s School of Agriculture and Horticulture said women students were well-represented at UQ Gatton but their participation rate for agronomy and horticulture studies was lower than for men.

“We hope this scholarship will encourage more women to study sustainable plant production in our Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs, and we’re pleased to have the support of a major company like Dow AgroSciences as a significant employer of science graduates,” Dr Bahnisch said.

Applications for the 2003 scholarship (telephone 07 5460 1310 for details) close at the beginning of January, 2003.

Dow AgroSciences Australia Ltd Research and Development Manager Richard Chambers visited UQ Gatton to meet inaugural winner Marcia Smith of Roma.

Ms Smith, a mature-aged student studying externally, is in the first year of an applied science degree majoring in agronomy.

She has worked for several years classifying grain in the Grainco Roma depot during the harvest season, and says talking with growers delivering crops sparked her interest in agricultural studies.

“I like working outdoors and I think this degree will open up career options for me,” she said. “The scholarship is wonderful because it will allow me to devote more time to my studies.”

Mr Chambers, a Gatton Agricultural Science graduate, said Dow AgroSciences was pleased to have professional links with the University.

“As prospective employers we need to encourage a pool of talented young people and there are good career opportunities for UQ Gatton graduates,” he said.

He said the company, which was part of a $3 billion company operating worldwide, was exploring industrial placement options for UQ Gatton students.

“Our focus is on developing and marketing a range of agricultural and professional pest products and also in the emerging field of biotechnology,” Mr Chambers said.

Media: For more information about this news release, contact Dr Bahnisch (telephone 07 5460 1350) or Anthony Smith (telephone 0409 265 587).