During the 2025 PIDAs, the Australasian Bioplastics Association (ABA), in partnership with the AIP, revealed the winners of this year's Scholarship program for Australia and New Zealand.
The ABA Scholarship program will enable one eligible candidate from the ANZ region the opportunity to undertake a Diploma in Packaging Technology, and a second person the opportunity to undertake a Certificate in Packaging.
2025 ABA Scholarship: Certificate in Packaging
The Certificate in Packaging is the ideal first qualification for those working in the packaging industry and is an introduction to the industry for those starting out on an exciting career in packaging.
The 2025 ABA Scholarship Certificate in Packaging winner was Pippa Corry, founder and director of philo & co.
About the Scholarship winner:
Corry is a one-woman consultancy at the sustainability intersection of packaging design, strategy and communication that supports FMCG brands and packaging design agencies.
Her interests lie in the transformative potential of packaging to help lead Australia’s transition to a circular economy. By bridging the complex intersection of packaging design and sustainability, Corry is deeply invested in exploring future opportunities for innovation in packaging technology, material science, and data-driven decision-making.
These areas are critical for designing packaging that not only meets current standards, but anticipates the future, aligning with national packaging regulation reforms and the National Circular Economy Framework.
Corry wants to deepen her understanding of the packaging lifecycle to further integrate sustainability into designs, gain technical expertise to address inefficiencies in packaging development, and drive circular solutions and advance sustainability across major materials, formats and emerging technologies.
Within the next five years, Corry aspires to become a Certified Packaging Professional, continue to support Australian SMEs in adopting sustainable and circular packaging practices, and lead innovative reuse and refill projects for FMCG brands, aligning designs with circular economy principles.
Corry believes that undertaking the scholarship will further equip her with knowledge to deliver transformative strategies that advance the circular economy in Australia.
2025 ABA Scholarship: Diploma in Packaging Technology
The Diploma in Packaging Technology is internationally recognised as the premier qualification in the packaging industry.
The degree prepares students to take responsibility for packaging operations at any level through the supply chain and can also lead to higher level study.
The 2025 ABA Scholarship Diploma in Packaging Technology winner was Ransheema Rita, packaging technologist at Synlait Milk Limited.
About the Scholarship winner:
Working for NZ-based Synlait, and having undertaken a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and a Master’s in Business Management, Rita has a unique blend of expertise that makes her ideal to undertake the Diploma in Packaging Technology, as she will be able to bridge the gap between technical sustainability knowledge and practical business strategies.
Rita’s career aspiration for the next five years is to become a senior packaging technologist and be able to effectively lead packaging R&D, while also being the sustainability expert.
Through the scholarship program, she is seeking more in-depth knowledge on the different aspects of packaging, its properties, and the processes involved in its making.
Rita believes that this scholarship will allow her to do more end-to-end packaging technical work independently, and to explore new sustainability approaches to make better choices.
The knowledge gained will enable her to make informed decisions for a win-win situation for the business and the planet at large.
