CSE's Rural Engineering Scholars for 2004
Three new CSE students, Andrew Bastados, Matthew Frazer and Kristan Withers, are among 18 new Facutly of Engineering Rural Scholars. These students recently attended a formal scholarship presentation in Sydney along with rural scholars and their families from across Australia.
Each scholarship is worth $34,000 ($8,500 a year for each of the four years needed to complete their degree). Accommodation is available on campus with residential colleges providing some first year places for commencing rural scholars.
The Faculty of Engineering Rural Scholarships Program will be offered again in 2005 and up to 20 scholarships will be available. The closing date for 2005 applications is September 30. Contact Daniel Owens, , phone (02) 9385 6429 or visit www.eng.unsw.edu.au for more information and application forms.
Andrew Bastados
 Andrew Bastardo from Boggabri is on the way to becoming a professional computer engineer thanks to a rural scholarship to study at the University of New South Wales.
"On my parents' farm, we have been actively increasing the size of our irrigated land by building new dams and laser-levelling old dry-land pasture fields", says Andrew, from St Mary's College.
"The reason why I am interested in this is because I find it amazing that a tractor can be steered by GPS or that a bucket can be controlled to produce a level field by being guided with a laser."
"It is also very empowering to see 3D CAD image of a proposed dam and simulated water flow to identify ways of minimising wastage through the recycling of tail water and preventing problems such as water back-up dur to high ground."
"The Faculty of Engineering is always keen to enrol students from country areas because they often have a special aptitude for engineering", says Associate Dean (Academic) Professor Tim Hesketh. "They're very practical, motivated and have great problem solving abilities."
Andrew chose Engineering at UNSW for its strong reputation and based on a teacher's recommendation.
Matthew Frazer
 Matthew Frazer plans to bring the latest engineering knowledge to rural communities.
Matthew is training to become a software engineer and hopes that the knowledge he gains will ultimately benefit rural people.
"With many agricultural businesses shifting to computer-based management systems, the provision of quality software for rural management is a burgeoning industry," says Matthew, formerly of Oxley High School.
Kristan Withers
 Kristan Withers hopes to be at the forefront of Australian health research thanks to a rural scholarship to study Bioinformatics at the University of New South Wales.
Bioinformatics concerns the storing, organising, analysing, interpreting and utilising information associated with genetic material.
"The idea of developing the next age of computing systems seems amazing to me, and I want to take an active role in the field," says Kristan, formerly of Great Lakes College.
Kristan chose Engineering at the University of New South Wales because of the "great opportunities and support networks offered by the UNSW Engineering Faculty and because UNSW was the only uni to offer a specialised Bioinformatics course."
Further details: Carly McIver, ph (02) 9385 6171,
Media Contact: Mary O'Malley, UNSW Media unit, ph 9385 2873, mob 043 888 1124,
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