The Kristina Hacket Memorial Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2021, this scholarship was generously funded by Elanco Animal Health and Virbac Australia Animal Health, in addition to Kristina Hacket’s wide circle of family and friends. The scholarship is to assist women in the fields of agriculture and animal sciences and is in honour of Kristina Hacket, an alumni and researcher with the University of Sydney.

b. Kristina Hacket was a great friend, colleague and researcher inspiring many of us working in agriculture, veterinary science and the animal health industry. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at the University of Sydney, Kristina pursued her interests in animal husbandry and agriculture by forging a life-long career within the animal health industry. Her endeavours in collaborative research and development resulted in the successful launch of several innovative technologies that improve the health, productivity and welfare of animals to this day.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the applicant being female and having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled in full-time in an Honours degree in the fields of agriculture and animal sciences, within the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,
II. personal statements outlining Honours area of study and interest in agriculture and animal science, current and prior leadership roles, and how the scholarship will benefit them in completing their degree.

a. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Head of School of Life and Environmental Sciences, or their nominated delegate/s.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $6,000 and is tenable for one year only.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each relevant semester.

c. Deferral or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Dean of Science (or nominated delegate), and it is not transferable to another faculty, University School or university.

d. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing Eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain a minimum SAM of 65 for any coursework units of study required as part of their honours program.

b. If recipients enrol part-time in their degree (i.e., domestic students only), they must seek prior approval to hold the scholarship on a part-time basis. The payments may be paid on a pro-rata basis.

c. Recipients undertaking an exchange during the tenure of this Scholarship are required to have achieved a Satisfied Requirements grade (SR) to receive their next payment.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. commences part-time study without prior approval,
III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
V. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $6,000 per annum or more such as the University of Sydney Honours Scholarship,
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

7. Report

a. Recipients will be asked when they receive the Scholarship offer letter if they consent for their details (name and degree) to be shared with the Donor.

b. Recipients will be required to provide a report detailing the impact of the scholarship and their future aspirations. The report must be submitted to the Scholarships office after receiving the first scholarship payment and after receiving the last scholarship payment.