The Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) awarded the inaugural Scholarship for the Certificate in Packaging during the PCA Awards evening.
According to Mr Craig Wellman MAIP, National President of the AIP, the Scholarship was awarded to Louise Humphrey, who was a finalist in the 2009 Southern Cross Package Design Awards.
“Just one of a number of scholarships being offered by the AIP, this scholarship will enable Louise to complete the Certificate in Packaging, which is recognised in 27 countries and provides a springboard to an academic career in packaging with recognition of prior learning for the Diploma in Packaging Technology and Masters in Packaging Technology (Brunel University UK),” Mr Wellman said.
“There was a good response to this inaugural scholarship and the decision was not easy; however Louise Humphrey provided a standout application and a clear dedication to advancing packaging technology. This scholarship will offer Louise a unique opportunity to expand her tertiary design program with specialist knowledge in packaging and should allow her to be well placed for a vibrant future in the industry,”
According to scholarship winner Louise Humphrey, “I am close to completing a Diploma in Graphic Design, however I yearn to go beyond the two dimensional world of design.”
“The skills and knowledge gained through the Certificate in Packaging will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to move closer to becoming a packaging specialist, where I can make a difference. I consider it an honour, privilege and valuable experience to complete the Certificate in Packaging,” Ms Humphrey said.
“I am passionate about respecting the environment and minimising the human footprint of ecological destruction. Through smart packaging, I intend to strive to maximise the opportunities to influence consumer perceptions of the packaging industry and their thoughts and behaviours,” she said.
The AIP is extremely pleased to have been able to offer this Scholarship to a finalist in the Southern Cross Package Awards and give thanks to the vision of Gavin Williams and his team at the PCA for their warm embrace of the idea which has been a long standing wish of AIP education campaigner’s Harry Lovell, OAM FAIP and Llew Stephens FAIP.
“As an industry association, the PCA is focussed on developing and progressing the packaging industry. The Southern Cross Package Design Awards are the premier event of its kind on the Australian packaging calendar; placing the importance and integrity of the packaging industry front and centre with leading primary, secondary and tertiary educational bodies. The AIP is very happy to be associated with the PCA and this scholarship and we hope that this is the first of many to follow.” Mr Wellman said.
“The core activity of the AIP is to facilitate advancement of packaging technology and provide educational opportunities to packaging technologists. The Southern Cross Awards scholarship complements other programs initiated by the AIP including, the APMA scholarship for the Diploma in Packaging Technology and the AIP scholarship for the Certificate in Packaging which will be awarded to a finalist in the Cormack Innovation Awards in November.