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Former Premier boosts property research
A donation organised through former Queensland Premier Mike Ahern AO will help University of the Sunshine Coast students conduct property economics research into housing affordability and overall debt levels in Australia.
Mr Ahern recently gained a $5,000 bursary when the National Credit Union Association (NCUA) presented him with the 2010 Phillip Elliot Legacy award late last year.
This award recognised Mr Ahern’s outstanding contribution to the mutual sector during his 16 years as chairman of the NCUA’s banking unit, Indue Limited, previously called Credit Link.
As the bursary is designed to boost educational or other activities to further mutuality, Mr Ahern – who was Premier from 1987 to 1989 and a parliamentarian for 22 years – decided to donate the money to USC.
Mr Ahern will visit the University of the Sunshine Coast on Monday 11 April at 3pm to meet the students who will benefit from his donation.
USC’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement and Professor of Property and Development Mike Hefferan said he was delighted by Mr Ahern’s generosity and support for the University.
Professor Hefferan said the funds were made available to advanced undergraduate students in property economics and related fields to support major research projects.
“The awarding of the bursary was on a competitive basis and open to all students eligible to undertake their Research (Capstone) Project,” he said.
“An expression of interest was called and students were then shortlisted. Shortlisted students were asked to provide a research proposal and from submissions made, four students were identified as beneficiaries of this bursary.”
“Two of the students will develop a research paper regarding the measures for housing affordability and the other two will consolidate and comment upon overall debt levels within the Australian economy.”
— Terry Walsh