AIFST - Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology

The QLD Branch offers three awards:

1.  Student Award for Excellence
2. Professional Development Award
3. Convention Helper Student Subsidy

6.8.6.1 Student Award for Excellence

(a)             Eligibility

Award is presented to the top third or final year student in food science and technology or related field at tertiary institutes with a degree course in Food Science and Technology or related courses based in Queensland

(b)             Criteria

(i)               Third year student:

·          Full time student in a relevant Food Science and Technology or related course at an approved institution in Queensland

·          No requirement for membership of the Institute.

(ii)             Final year student:

·          Full time or part time student in a relevant Food Science and Technology or related course at an approved institution in Queensland

·          No requirement for membership of the Institute.

(iii)            Conditions:

·          QLD Branch Chairman to determine award recipients from the Course Coordinators by 31 December of year in which the awards apply.

·          QLD Branch Secretary to notify the award recipients in writing, and forward recipient contact details to the membership coordinator at AIFST National Office for processing of their membership for the subsequent year. This process must be completed by 31 January of the following year.

(c)             Awards

(i)               Third year student:

·          Institute Student membership for subsequent year

·          Copy of Green Book and Gold Book (or equivalent value in book vouchers from an appropriate technical bookshop if student has the publications)

·          Complimentary dinner at Branch Annual Meeting

·          Certificate signed by current Chair, displaying Institute logo, format agreed by committee

·          Student name placed on Honour Board held at their tertiary institution if available

·          Award presented at an Institute event, e.g. Annual Meeting, Course Orientation day.

(ii)             Final year student:

·          Full Institute membership fees for subsequent year

·          Copy of Green Book and Gold Book (or equivalent value in book vouchers from an appropriate technical bookshop if student has the publications)

·          Complimentary dinner at Branch Annual Meeting

·          Certificate signed by current Chair, displaying Institute logo, format agreed by committee

·          Student name placed on Honour Board held at their tertiary institution if available

·          $500 in cash

·          Award is presented at the following Institute Annual Meeting

(d)             This award is recognised as the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology Student Prize of Excellence and only one award is awarded each year.

6.8.6.2                Professional Development Award

(a)             The QLD Branch allocates funds towards the professional development of a member or members of the food industry.

(b)             This award will be periodically awarded at the discretion of the QLD Branch Committee. It is not limited to any particular division of the food industry; those eligible include but are not limited to food producers, processors and manufacturers, as well as those who offer consultancy, analytical services and other support services to the food industry.

(c)             The proposed professional development award prize may be applied to (but in no way will be limited to) any of the following types of educational applications:

(i)               attendance at the Institute Annual Convention;

(ii)             attendance at the Australian HACCP Conference;

(iii)            attendance at the Australian Food Microbiology Conference; or

(iv)            attendance at an Australian or international food science conference, training course, workshop or seminar of similar standing to the above events.

(d)             The Professional Development Award will be advertised in the Branch Newsletter in February for applications due by 30 April and it will also be advertised in the October Newsletter for applications due by 30 November.

(e)             It will be the responsibility of the applicant to propose the professional development that they would like to undertake. A written application must be received a minimum of two (2) months prior to the commencement of the proposed professional development event. The application must address each of the selection criteria outlined below. Evaluation of the application according to the selection criteria will then be undertaken by the QLD Branch Committee.

(i)               The Subsidy award(s) will be awarded at the discretion of the QLD Branch Committee.

Selection criteria will include:

·          Value of the proposed professional development to the applicant.

·          Value of the proposed professional development to the applicant’s employer if appropriate.

·          Potential of the proposed development program to be effective in developing dissemination of knowledge in the food industry. This may include an address to the Queensland Branch members on the professional development’s details, benefits and outcomes.

·          Monetary contribution forthcoming from applicant and applicant’s employer to undertake professional development project.

·          Length of Institute membership (membership of QLD Branch is essential).

·          Contribution to be made by applicant to the food industry.

·          Previous professional development courses attended by applicant and details of previous successful professional development awards.

·          Level of support sought for the proposed professional development subsidy.

(ii)             A successful applicant may be required to address the QLD Branch members on the professional development’s details, benefits and outcomes at a technical meeting or through an article in the Branch Newsletter.

(iii)            Applicants will need to identify a professional development program that is appropriate to their area of interest and submit a written application addressing the selection criteria detailed above.

(iv)            The maximum allocation per award is up to $2,000. The QLD Branch Committee may choose to allocate a number of awards throughout the year depending upon sufficient funds being available in line with the Branch’s budgetary requirements.

(v)              Selection Committee:

·          The selection committee will comprise of members of the QLD Branch Committee

·          Committee members with a conflict of interest regarding the selection of a candidate will not take part in the selection process.

·          The selection committee will meet to evaluate the award application.

·          The evaluation meeting of the selection committee may take place at a QLD Branch Committee meeting.

·          The decision of the selection committee will be forwarded to the applicant in writing in a timely manner.

(vi)            Conflict of Interest

·          The selection committee members must declare a conflict of interest for any specific application.

·          The selection committee members may also nominate others who may have a conflict of interest.

(vii)           Quorum

·          A quorum of five (5) selection committee members is required to determine the outcome of the evaluation.

(viii)         Timeliness of Application

·          Applications should be received a minimum of two (2) months before the commencement of the event.

·          The application should be circulated to QLD Branch Committee members prior to the evaluation meeting, to allow adequate time for assessment consideration.

(ix)           Evaluation Process for Applications

·          The selection committee must assess the application against each of the selection criteria outlines in Clause 6.8.6.2(e)(i).

·          All selection criteria must be addressed for the application to be considered. If the selection criteria have not been addressed the application cannot be considered.

·          The selection committee can contact the applicant to seek further information or clarification if necessary.

(x)             Allocation of Funds

·          The allocation of funds is at the discretion of the selection committee.

·          Funds may be divided between as many or few applications as the selection committee sees fit.

·          There is no obligation for application(s) to be approved or the funds to be allocated in anyone budget period.

(xi)           Absence of Successful Applications

·          The selection committee reserves the right not to grant an award in any one year period, should no successful applications be received.

(xii)          Unsuccessful Applications

·          One reapplication may be received by the selection committee for a specific professional development event.

·          The reapplication will be accepted only if received a minimum of one (1) month prior to the event.

6.8.6.2 Convention Helper Student Subsidy

(a)             The Subsidy, to a maximum value of $1000, is available to all full time students who are members of the Institute and are currently studying in a tertiary Food Science and Technology course. The purpose of the Subsidy is to enable students to attend the Annual Institute Convention.

(b)             As a Student Helper the successful candidate will receive the following benefits:

(i)               receive payment of return airfares to the State Capital where the annual Convention is being held

(ii)             receive a contribution towards the cost of accommodation (e.g. 1 or 2 nights accommodation where applicable within the limits of the value of the subsidy award)

(iii)            complimentary student registration to the conference

(iv)            gain exposure to the national operation of the Institute

(v)              benefit from the extensive knowledge presented, the opportunity for professional development and networking.

(c)             As a Student Helper the successful candidate will also be required to assist in the following areas:

(i)               packing of satchels on the day before the conference

(ii)             as an usher – assist speakers and attendees to registration areas, and rooms during the conference

(iii)            cooperate with the Student Coordinator (respective committee member of the convention/conference) and otherwise be available to assist as required

(iv)            In conjunction with the Student Coordinator, choose sessions of interest to attend.

(d)             The successful candidate will be required to complete a presentation (10-15 minutes) to the QLD Branch members relating to the knowledge and experience gained by the candidate (summary of the conference, technical session attended or the networking experience).

(e)             The subsidy(s) will be awarded at the discretion of the QLD Branch Committee.

(f)               Applicants must provide a letter addressing the following selection criteria (maximum 2 pages):

(i)               perceived value of conference attendance to the applicant

(ii)             a list of technical sessions offered at the current annual conference that are of interest to the applicant

(iii)            Institute membership status

(iv)            details of any previous successful professional development awards

(v)              a brief CV should also be attached (a copy of the student’s academic record is optional).