The 2022 Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA) Scholarship Program for Australia and New Zealand, in coordination with the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), is now open for submissions.
The program will enable one eligible candidate the opportunity to undertake a Diploma in Packaging Technology valued at $9000, and give a second person the opportunity to undertake a Certificate in Packaging valued at $7000.
Rowan Williams, president of the ABA, said the Scholarship Program has been designed to recognise and support deserving and emerging packaging professionals as part of their professional development.
“We encourage all ABA and AIP members that are interested in developing their packaging technology skills to apply for these scholarships, following on from the success of last year’s Program and the extremely worthy recipients,” said Williams.
“The demand for the field of bioplastics continues to surge globally for both certified compostable and fully renewable or biobased bioplastics. These niche products are designed to replace other types of packaging that, after contact with food, are uneconomical or difficult to reuse or recycle.
“Education on these materials, as partly provided as content from these scholarships, will aid future packaging professionals to make sustainable design choices.”
According to Karunia Adhiputra, packaging specialist at Nestle Australia, and 2021 Diploma in Packaging Technology winner, the course has helped him to gain a holistic understanding of packaging technology and industry.
Nestle Australia.
“The Diploma is Packaging Technology is a comprehensive course that teaches all concepts of packaging – from technical development, manufacturing, economics and sustainability of packaging materials,” he explained.
“The course sets up candidates to achieve a well-rounded understanding of how packaging fits within the supply chain, and important factors that need to be considered to ensure packaging is developed with every aspect of its lifecycle in mind.
“Undertaking the Diploma has certainly helped me gain a better understanding of developing new packaging materials that are fit for purpose, a focus that is growing in the area of sustainability.
“I would wholeheartedly encourage all packaging professionals who have not yet completed the Diploma in Packaging Technology to consider applying for the 2022 Scholarship Program, as it will spark inspiration to bring your packaging to the next level.”
Maria Becerril-Roman, packaging technologist at Mondelez International, and winner of the 2021 Certificate in Packaging, said winning the second ABA Scholarship was a great personal honour.
“Beyond the opportunity to keep learning and foster my career in packaging science and technology, the scholarship has opened the opportunity to connect with other AIP members, the wider industry, receive the guidance of my mentors, apply the concepts and skills to everyday work challenges, attain a globally recognised degree, and encourages peers to continue learning and being prepared in this ever-changing space,” she said.
“I encourage all professionals wanting to deep-dive into the intricacies that sit behind a well-designed pack, and how to best tackle the most common challenges in this industry, to apply for the 2022 ABA Scholarship program and reach out to industry and academic connections for your references to participate in this exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of the packaging industry in Australia and the world.”
Professor Pierre Pienaar, AIP’s education director, added that undertaking higher education in Packaging Technology is critical for the ANZ region.
“While many people working in the fields of packaging are well-qualified, as evident in our 2021 Career and Salary Survey, they are not qualified in the science, engineering and/or technology behind packaging,” said Pienaar.
“We need to see more people in the industry undertaking internationally qualified and recognised degrees, as this will go a long way in improving the overall knowledge and skillset in the industry, ensuring that we do not have a technical knowledge void within the packaging industry in the next 5-10 years.
“It is important that we see more people working in and around packaging advance their technical knowledge.
“The AIP is offering more academic courses than ever before in the various fields of packaging and I encourage each of you, irrespective of age, to take on this challenge. None of us are too old to learn something new, so apply for the Scholarship Program today.”
Visit the AIP website to access the entry forms and criteria for each scholarship. Applications close on 8 April 2022.
