Banksia Villages Ltd is very proud to announce a partnership with the University of Canberra (UC) Faculty of Health that will deliver a number of exciting new academic initiatives.  The partnership is in line with Banksia’s commitment to development of the aged care sector and innovation through academic research, and to making a meaningful contribution to our local community.

Two annual academic programs with the UC Faculty of Health have been established as part of the partnership: an undergraduate scholarship specifically designed to provide tertiary pathways in allied health, nursing, and public health for students from the Eurobodalla; and a post-graduate research grant program.  Total annual funding of $17,500 will be provided through this initiative.

UC is a university in rapid growth with strong demonstrated links to government and the sector, and is involved in a number of significant projects in the health field including construction of a hospital and residential aged care facility on its Belconnen ACT campus. With a focus on innovative education methods, the Faculty of Health educates clinicians, professionals and researchers to be leaders in the dynamic fields of health and sport, and has an established and widely recognised reputation for producing quality graduates and leading health research.

Banksia will benefit significantly from this important relationship, not only through outcomes of the scholarship program and tailored academic output of the research grants, but also through the development of critical relationships with academics, government and others in the sector.

Banksia Villages Scholarship

The Banksia Villages Scholarship, delivered through its partnership with the UC Faculty of Health, provides a very practical means of supporting Eurobodalla students to gain highly valuable tertiary qualifications in allied health, nursing and public health and of contributing to continued growth of the aged care sector.

The merit based program is open to Year 12 students of four local Eurobodalla schools: St Peter’s Anglican College, Carroll College,  Moruya High School, and Batemans Bay High School, with the first scholarship available for the 2018 academic year.

Two scholarships will be offered annually, with total funding of $7,500 provided per student over a three-year period for eligible courses.  Scholarship students will be further supported during their program with clinical and work placements at Banksia’s residential aged care facility in Broulee, and through UC.

“Our partnership with the University of Canberra is part of a range of new education initiatives we are implementing in pursuit of new and meaningful ways to contribute to excellence and innovation in aged care, and to our local region,” says Graham Wise, CEO Banksia Villages Ltd.

Learn more about the Banksia Villages Scholarship

Post-graduate research grants

Two annual post-graduate research grants have also been established as part of the partnership, with each grant totalling $5,000 for eligible research projects to be undertaken by UC post-graduate candidates.

The grants program, which will commence in 2018, provides a valuable opportunity for Banksia to contribute to the body of knowledge in aged care and related fields and to foster its strategic objective of embracing innovation and learning through academic research.

Internal scholarship program for Banksia staff

In developing these exciting new programs, Banksia’s Board and management were keen to provide similar opportunities for their own people. Consequently, a new internal scholarship program has been introduced for staff, designed to provide opportunities for them to participate in activities that materially benefit both their own personal development and that of Banksia Villages.

“This initiative is a very practical, accessible and valuable way for Banksia to support the development of our people, and will enable us to further integrate state of the art learning within our operations”, says Graham Wise, CEO.