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Media Release

May 3, 2005

UniSA's six of the best win DSTO scholarships

Six of UniSA’s most promising engineering students have been presented with annual scholarships awarded by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

All second year students of the UniSA Bachelor of Engineering (Information Technology), they received $2000 scholarships as an encouragement to pursue studies and research in information science.

In presenting the scholarships, Director of DSTO’s Information Sciences Laboratory (ISL), Mr Neil Bryans, spoke about the valuable work of scientists whose pioneering contributions are being celebrated across the world during 2005 the International Year of Physics.

“This important support to students at the undergraduate level is a demonstration of DSTO’s commitment to developing the intellectual capital needed to broaden Australia’s scientific skills base by inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers,” Mr Bryans said.

"DSTO’s information and communications-based research programs aim to develop critical technologies and capabilities required to support the Australian Defence Force.

“As a major employer of scientists, engineers and information technology specialists, it is vital to DSTO that Australian universities continue to produce high quality graduates.

"So we are more than pleased to support this endeavour by awarding these scholarships and encouraging students to strive for excellence in their chosen field."

The students - Darren Milligan, of Payneham; Benjamin Sladden, of Golden Grove; Christopher Thomas, of Lewiston; Gregory Richards, of Port Augusta; Andrew Orth, from Tranmere; and Michael Eaton, from Heathfield – received a $2,000 cheque and framed scholarship certificate of achievement.

UniSA Head of School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Professor Andrew Nafalski, thanked DSTO for its institutional commitment to furthering its collaboration with UniSA in many areas but particularly to enhancing educational development for students.

“DSTO’s Centre of Excellence in Systems Engineering - Systems Engineering and Evaluation Centre (SEEC) is one example of this collaboration, with SEEC’s Professor Stephen Cook jointly appointed by DSTO and UniSA,” Professor Nafalski said.

“DSTO supports a large number of consultancy, research and educational projects, and a flagship of that support is the Continuing Education Initiative (CEI) which strongly underpins postgraduate continuing education.

“The School is responsible for coordination of CEI streams in information and communications technology and systems engineering. Our strong association with DSTO gives our graduates professional exposure through a number of final year engineering projects and through joint UniSA/DSTO delivery of elective courses.”

DSTO assists the Australian Defence Force to achieve a capability edge through the exploitation of rapid advances in information technology, communications and intelligence gathering, and in the development of new equipment and electronic systems. It is one of the largest employers of scientists, engineers and specialist personnel in Australia.

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