Eminent University of Queensland alumnus Dr Vince FitzGerald AO credits the School of Economics’ Honours program for kickstarting his public policy career – and he has pledged $220,000 to establish a scholarship to give other students the same opportunities.
From 2019, the $10,000 per year FitzGerald Scholarship will be awarded annually to a high-performing Honours applicant looking to specialise in applied economics and econometrics.
Dr FitzGerald, a former senior Australian government official, said he was inspired by his own life-changing UQ scholarship experience.
“Receiving the Archibald Scholarship allowed me to put most of my time into Honours instead of working constantly to survive,” Dr FitzGerald said.
“With the FitzGerald Scholarship, I want to ease the financial burden for students interested in applying econometric tools to real world problems, as I was in my time.”
School of Economics’ Head of School and Academic Dean Professor Daniel Zizzo said the scholarship would encourage students to pursue meaningful public sector careers.
“Our Honours program has produced many of Australia’s top economic policy makers, who have benefited from our challenging curriculum and internationally respected teachers and researchers,” Professor Zizzo said.
“The FitzGerald Scholarship will allow Honours students more freedom to chase their passion in this arena, just as Dr FitzGerald did.
“Dr FitzGerald is a great role model of public service. I am sure our FitzGerald scholars will follow his example, and use the knowledge, expertise and economic tools learned at UQ to help shape public policy and better the lives of others.”
Dr FitzGerald graduated from UQ in 1969 with a Bachelor of Economics (Class I Honours) and a University Medal.
His distinguished career spans over four decades in both the public and private sectors.
Over the years, he has provided valuable economic policy advice as a senior official in the Departments of the Treasury, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Finance, Trade, and Employment, Education and Training.
As a consultant, he has continued advising on public policy, including playing a pivotal role in the development of the Australian Government’s compulsory superannuation scheme.
Dr FitzGerald is currently a director of EFTS Management (AUS), ACIL Allen Consulting and the Australian National University Tuckwell Scholarship Foundation. He is a trustee of several charitable foundations, a member of the advisory committee for the Centre for Health Policy, and a member of the CEDA Council on Economic Policy.
In addition to establishing the FitzGerald Scholarship, he recently contributed $80,000 to the School of Economics’ Archibald Scholarship fund.
“The School is grateful for Dr FitzGerald’s continued generosity, support and positive influence on past and present students,” Professor Zizzo said.
The FitzGerald Scholarship is available to Honours applicants from 2019. It will be maintained by an endowment fund, which is open to further gifts.
More information is available online.
Media: BEL Faculty Communications – Alysha Hilevuo, media@bel.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 9349, +61 409 612 798.
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