New Education PhD Scholarship for Excellence

The Faculty of Education has received a generous gift to support Higher Degree by Research students.

A new PhD Scholarship for Excellence has been established and the initial contribution has been made by former acting Dean of the Faculty, Emeritus Professor Ron Taft. The PhD Scholarship for Excellence establishes a fund for others to donate to. Funds will be used to provide financial support to a PhD student in Education. 

Professor Taft has always been interested in higher degrees by research. He felt strongly about being able to support a PhD student in Education.  

"I'm excited to see the Faculty extend its research capability," Professor Taft said.

"I hope that this donation will help young researchers continue the Faculty's tradition of quality research and scholarship - and for other donors to follow my example."

Professor Taft was appointed to the Faculty as Professor of Psychology in 1968. In 1976, he was acting Dean for a year and he took early retirement in 1981 but remained active in the Faculty for many years as an Emeritus Professor.

He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australian (ASSA) and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society.  In 1976, he was also awarded the Medal for Scientific Research by the Royal Society of Victoria.

Dean of the Faculty Professor John Loughran said the start of the new PhD scholarship was a significant boon to the faculty.

"This new scholarship allows us to support young researchers who are often not able to continue their academic pursuits due to financial circumstances," Professor Loughran said.

"We're deeply grateful for Professor Taft's generosity and initiative and hope the fund can grow to support more research students in Education." 

The Faculty will award the PhD Scholarship for Excellence to a commencing PhD student in 2013.