BAE Systems Australia has awarded its first Joint Open Innovation Network (JOIN) undergraduate scholarship to a University of Adelaide student who will receive mentoring and pre-selection for interview for a graduate position with the company.
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Software Engineering student Lachlan Lampard is the lucky recipient that will receive $5,000 each year for the next three years to support his second, third and final-year engineering studies. The scholarship also provides for 12 weeks of vacation employment, access to a company mentor and pre-selection for interview for a BAE Systems graduate position.
BAE Systems Australia JOIN is a national initiative established to drive research, development and innovation of technologies that are critical to supporting the Australian Defence Force maintain superior capability.
To date, three universities, all South Australian, have become partners in the program – the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and University of SA.
Under the initiative, BAE Systems will contribute up to $10 million to support new university engineering scholarships, internship and undergraduate industry placements.
JOIN will also see the establishment of an innovation laboratory to provide a secure facility that allows industry and academia to work together to advance existing defence technologies.
BAE Systems chief executive Glynn Phillips said he was excited to see the company investing in the future leaders of an innovative defence industry.
"I am delighted that we can inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators with scholarships such as this," said Phillips.
"Investing in tomorrow’s leaders will help ensure that defence industry is better able to deliver the unique solutions that the nation needs now and well in the future."
Lampard said he was attracted to engineering because of the scope it provided to be innovative and creative and be able to apply maths and science to solve important problems that can have a real impact in the world.
"The prospect of working within an ever-changing field that will continually present different and interesting challenges excites me," Lampard said.
"The BAE Systems JOIN scholarship has given me the opportunity to be associated with the Australia’s largest defence and security company and given me the self-belief and extra motivation to strive for success."
University of Adelaide director, defence and security, Professor Michael Webb said, "Universities and industry working together in this way will be key to building South Australia’s defence future."
More scholarships will be announced soon.