$30,000 Thiess Scholarship Awarded

Issue Date:  05 May 1997
Issued By:  Thiess Contractors Pty Limited

Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd awarded a $30,000 scholarship to University of Queensland Civil Engineering student Mark Green yesterday.

The scholarship, the first of its kind within the Engineering faculty, was initiated by Thiess in conjunction with the University of Queensland and consists of $10,000 per annum for the final three years of the Bachelor of Engineering degree.

20 year old scholarship recipient, Mark Green, expressed his thanks to Thiess and the University.

It's very encouraging for students to see big companies such as Thiess becoming involved in scholarship programs and helping young engineers," Mr Green said.

Thiess Civil Engineering Manager for QLD/NT Operations, Peter Lyons, said it was difficult to pick the final recipient due to the high standard of all recipients.

"The scholarship was awarded to the second year Civil Engineering student who best demonstrated initiative, leadership and academic ability and it was very hard to pick just one," Mr Lyons said.

Head of the University of Queensland's Civil Engineering Department, Prof. Ray Volker, said he hopes the Thiess scholarship sets a precedent for other companies.

"Scholarships were once the domain of various public sector departments but, due to restructuring, many of those scholarship opportunities no longer exist and it's up to the whole engineering profession to increase their role in this area," Prof Volker said.

"Scholarships such as the Thiess one demonstrate that companies are willing to nurture engineering as a profession," he said.

General Manager of Thiess QLD/NT/Pacific Operations, Roger Trundle, said he's proud of the relationship Thiess has with the University of Queensland and the scholarship is part of a continuing commitment to increase the profile of Civil Engineering.

"Thiess views this scholarship as an opportunity to invest in the future of civil engineering and as a way of encouraging students to become part of this challenging profession," Mr Trundle said.

For more information contact:
Roger Trundle
General Manager
Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd
40 McDougall St
Milton Q 4064
Ph: 3368 0200
Fax: 3368 0288

Professor Ray Volker
Head of Engineering Department
University of Queensland
St Lucia Q 4067
Ph: 3365 1111
Fax: 3365 1199