Five new UQ engineering scholarships awarded

The inaugural engineering scholarships funded by Andrew Liveris AO and his wife Paula through their generous US$10 million (AU$13.5m) donation were created to nurture the talent, passion and courage of outstanding engineering scholars and thought leaders in the field of global sustainability.

“Throughout my long career at Dow, I envisaged a day where I could close the loop and help a new generation of young Australians to access the world stage and make a difference,” Liveris said. “That they could learn that the world today operates at the intersection of government, business and science, and that in the digital century, the stresses and anxieties of an overcrowded planet need solutions.

“These young people, our first five scholarship winners, will trailblaze for a new generation of leader that creates the frameworks and content of the solutions that will benefit all humanity — all emanating from the stage and the learnings at the Liveris Academy at The University of Queensland.”

The five awardees will be the first of many to come as the Academy grows to scale in the coming years. They are James Orman, Flynn Pearman, Victoria Barnes, Javan McGuckin and Lilly Van Gilst.

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj AC congratulated the scholarship recipients and said the university was delighted to offer the Andrew N. Liveris Academy Undergraduate Scholarships to those with a future vision of sustainability and a global mindset.

“These inaugural scholarships mark an historic milestone and we will be awarding up to five new scholarships each year as the Academy expands its impact through a vibrant and growing community of Liveris Scholars and Academy Alumni,” he said. “These scholarship recipients are talented, undergraduate engineers who have already demonstrated leadership potential, a clear passion for sustainability and the potential to solve pressing problems through large-scale innovation.

“The scholarships will help arm them with skills to tackle an uncertain world with agility, passion and vision. I again thank Andrew and Paula for their generosity and commitment to supporting future engineering leaders who will help deliver a sustainable future.”

Executive Dean Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology Professor Vicki Chen said the scholarship recipients would be supported by a program of events, activities and mentoring and would be housed in the $157 million Andrew N. Liveris Building when it is completed.

“Through the generosity of Andrew and Paula Liveris, scholars will receive $10,000 per year, and may also receive up to $10,000 travel support from the Liveris Academy for an approved gap semester, exchange or internship opportunity,” Chen said. “The Liveris Academy will also provide a range of unique co-curricular experiences such as structured leadership training.

“Scholars will develop a depth of knowledge and skills across leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, systems thinking and emerging digital technologies.

“Students will also be offered mentoring by visiting industry leaders, entrepreneurship, exposure to policy and humanitarian fields; as well as targeted professional practice placements in Australia or globally.”

The Liveris Academy bolsters UQ’s efforts to empower student success, transform teaching and learning, and drive discovery and impact through the Not If, When campaign, which has raised almost $430m of its $500m philanthropic goal.

The Andrew N. Liveris Building will support researchers and students to address sustainability challenges facing our world and create positive change for developing populations. It is expected to be completed in early 2021.

The scholarships will be maintained by income generated from an endowed fund and more information about the scholarships can be found here.

Image: Left to right: Professor Peter Halley, Javan McGuckin, Lilly Van Gilst, Flynn Pearman, Victoria Barnes, James Orman, Professor Vicki Chen.