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Not-for-profit staff encouraged to apply for governance scholarships

23 July 2014

Governance Institute of Australia is inviting individuals who are interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in governance to apply for the Chant Legacy scholarship program which is open until October 2014.

The Scholarships are available to applicants keen to pursue postgraduate governance studies at any government-accredited tertiary institution anywhere in the world and are based on merit and financial need. Successful applicants will receive payments to cover course fees of up to AUD$2,100 per subject, to a maximum of AUD$12,600 for the whole course.

“Practical skills and knowledge in governance are critical for anyone seeking to improve the performance, transparency and accountability of their organisation, whatever sector they may be in — corporate, government or not-for-profit (NFP),” said Tim Sheehy, chief executive of Governance Institute of Australia.

“NFP bodies in particular are increasingly aware of how a robust governance framework directly builds public trust and contributes to the credibility and success of the organisation.”

“Over the past two years, we have awarded 21 scholarships. The 2013 winners who came from the NFP and community sector clinched it by demonstrating their determination to build capacity within their organisations or to roll out good governance practices more widely across the sector,” Mr Sheehy said.

Ms Faith Hawthorne, 2013 scholarship recipient and lawyer at the peak pro bono legal service in Victoria, Justice Connect, said, “Before I applied for the scholarship, I was working in a legal department for the government, but wanted to move into the not-for-profit sector. During the first semester of Governance Institute of Australia’s Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance, I successfully made the transition into a NFP community legal service. I believe my diverse background as well as my enrolment at Governance Institute helped me secure the role where I work with emerging NFPs in the local community to advise them on good governance practice.”

Another 2013 scholarship recipient, Ms Kate Charters, chair, National Steering Committee, Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia commented, “I feel very privileged to have been a recipient of a Chant Legacy Scholarship to complete a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance. I applied initially to extend my qualifications so I can more capably undertake board membership roles for smaller organisations that have links to regional Australia. The course has met all my expectations and more. I am already feeling much more capable in my current role.”

Governance Institute’s Mr Sheehy added, “As trustees of the Chant Legacy Scholarship, we look forward to advancing the careers of yet another crop of promising individuals with the drive and passion to translate their skills into effective governance leadership.”

Scholarship applications will be judged and awarded by an independent committee of widely respected governance professionals including the director of the UTS Centre for Corporate Governance, Professor Thomas Clarke, Julie Hare, higher education editor at The Australian and Governance Institute board member, Douglas Gration.

Applications close in October 2014. Successful recipients will be announced in December 2014 for study that must be undertaken in Semester One, 2015.

Application forms can be obtained at: http://www.governanceinstitute.com.au/learning/chant-legacy-scholarship-for-postgraduate-study-in-governance/


For further information contact Viv Hardy at CallidusPR on (02) 9283 4113 or Tim Sheehy on (02) 9223 5744 or 0419 490 594.

About Governance Institute of Australia

Governance Institute of Australia is the only independent professional association with a sole focus on the practice of governance. We provide the best education and support for practising chartered secretaries, governance advisers and risk managers to drive responsible performance in their organisations.