Scholarships for food safety professionals

23 January 2009

Tertiary students either considering or already in a career in environmental health are now eligible to apply for a new State Government sponsored scholarship, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald announced today.

The NSW Food Authority is sponsoring two scholarships each year valued at $7,500 at the University of Western Sydney (UWS).

The scholarships are each for second and third year students studying:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Health); or
• Bachelor of Natural Science (Environment and Health).

"This is a great incentive to attract skilled people into an important profession which is at the front line of protecting the community," Mr Macdonald said.

"This investment in education shows just how serious the Government is about food safety and the importance of having knowledgeable food handlers.

"Environmental health professionals are in high demand throughout NSW, partly due to new laws introduced by the Government last year that give local councils greater responsibility for food safety.

"Local councils are a major employer of environmental health officers, whose responsibilities include care of the environment and public health, including food safety.

"I am pleased that the Food Authority has supported this scholarship program with a leading tertiary institution such as UWS, which is renowned for producing talented graduates."

Leichhardt Council environmental health officer Anita Ugarkovic is the first recipient of the scholarship, completing her third year of study at UWS.

Ms Ugarkovic’s research project is designed to develop an effective food surveillance strategy for her employer. She will conduct surveys and field observations during food business inspections to determine the skills and knowledge of food handlers.

On completion of her UWS degree, Ms Ugarkovic plans to undertake a TAFE course that will qualify her as a food safety auditor.

Scholarship candidates will be assessed on their written application, academic results and interview performance by a panel of UWS and Food Authority staff.

Candidates must be enrolled in the unit Environmental Practice 1 and 2 during the academic year of the scholarship and working on a food safety-related project.

Scholarship candidates can be either part or full-time students.

They must also be prepared to work in a NSW local council on graduation.