Allen D McConnell Scholarship

1. Background

a. The Allen D. McConnell Scholarship was established in 1999 by a donation from Mr Allen McConnell.

b. The objective of the award is to encourage research and study in the fields of Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics, with particular emphasis on the areas of flood control, irrigation, catchment management, water conservation, coastal engineering, sustainable energy, and environmental fluid mechanics.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Australia with either an unconditional offer of admission or currently enrolled for full-time studies in a Master’s by Research or PhD in the field of Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics within the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney,

b. Applicants must also hold an Honours degree in Engineering.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit, and

II. area of study.

b. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of a Selection Committee consisting of the Head of the School of Civil Engineering and professors in the School.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance of $6,000 (fixed rate) for up to one year, subject to satisfactory academic performance. No extension is possible.

b. Where the successful recipient is in receipt of an alternative primary scholarship which also provides a stipend payment, this Scholarship will become a supplementary stipend payment.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in relevant research period in which it is offered. It cannot be deferred without prior approval or transferred to another area of research.

d. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding the potential extension period.

e. No other amount is payable.

f. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Not Applicable.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carer’s leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

c. Where the supplementary scholarship, the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship will apply.

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.

c. Where the supplementary scholarship, the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship will apply.

8. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

c. Where the supplementary scholarship, the same conditions as indicated in the terms and conditions of the primary scholarship will apply

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

10. Termination

a. Unless terminated earlier, the Scholarship will terminate:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the student from their research degree,

II. upon the student having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,

III. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,

IV. if the student ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,

V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where it is of higher value, or where alternative supplementary scholarship(s) is awarded that results in the recipient obtaining an overall supplementary amount of more than 75% of the value the primary Scholarship,

VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or

VII. If the student ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,

II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or

III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. Stipend payments will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

11. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds paid to the student, the University may require the student to repay stipend amounts and any other payments made to the student in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Code of Conduct for Students and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.