Academic Governance

Sue Napier Scholarship in Education (Rule 128)

Sue was born Suzanne Deidre Braid on New Year’s Day 1948 in Latrobe, Tasmania, daughter of Tasmanian Legislative Council member Harry Braid. She was raised on the family farm, studied education and arts at the University of Tasmania and became a physical education teacher and then a lecturer in physical education at the University before entering Tasmanian politics in 1992.

Sue Napier had the distinction of being the first Liberal woman cabinet minister in 1995, the first female Deputy Premier in 1996 and the first woman to lead the Liberal Party, holding the position from 1999 to 2001.

During her career in government she served in a number of portfolios including transport, youth affairs and education and, in opposition, in the portfolios of business, tourism, health and infrastructure.

Sue Napier fought tenaciously for issues she believed in and was a tireless worker who championed the cause of those who were disadvantaged or suffered discrimination. She was committed to the advancement of aboriginal people in Tasmania and was an advocate for gay law reform.

Few achieve the wide respect she gained across all the political parties - for her integrity, her commitment to education and her knowledge of the parliamentary system. She was a shining example to all Tasmanian women who aspire to leadership in their communities.

Education was always close to her heart and to recognise her contribution to the State and education, the Tasmanian Government has agreed to annually fund two education scholarships in her name to encourage and support deserving Tasmanians to become teachers.

The Academic Senate of the University has agreed to the foundation of such scholarships. These are the rules:
 
Rules

1. There are two scholarships, each to be called the “Sue Napier Scholarship in Education”.
2. There will be one scholarship to be awarded to a student commencing an undergraduate degree course in education at the University of Tasmania as a prerequisite to a teaching career and one scholarship to be awarded to a student commencing a postgraduate degree course in education at the University of Tasmania as a prerequisite to a teaching career.
3. The scholarship will be funded by the Government of Tasmania making an annual contribution of $25 000 to the University of Tasmania Foundation.
4. The scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee comprising:  
   (a) The Dean of Education or nominee
   (b) A nominee of the Secretary, Tasmanian Department of Education
   (c) An academic staff member of the Faculty of Education agreed by the Faculty
   (d) An option for a fourth member – a member of Mrs Napier’s family, by invitation each year.
5. The selection committee will set the detailed selection and performance criteria for the scholarship having regard to the intention of the Tasmanian Government in establishing the award. However, in its selection, the committee shall give preference to a talented and deserving student educated in Tasmania and who, without financial assistance, would find it difficult to undertake study in education at the University of Tasmania.
6. The scholarship is tenable for the duration of the course provided the student’s progress in each year of the course is considered by the selection committee to be satisfactory.
7. The scholarship is for full-time study in the agreed education course. Part-time study may be permitted with the approval of the selection committee. 
8. The selection committee may terminate a student’s scholarship or suspend it for one year if it considers the student’s progress is unsatisfactory. If the award is suspended, the selection committee may re-award the scholarship to the same student for a following year if it considers that the student’s academic record the previous year justifies that action.
9. The selection committee will determine all other matters concerning the scholarship, including advertising, application procedures and the method and time of payment. 
10. The selection committee will report annually to Academic Senate on those students receiving the scholarship.
11. As the grantee, the Department of Education will require basic accountability for the grant on an annual basis. The actual grant remittance to the University will be accompanied by a standard accountability statement requiring an authorised officer to confirm how the grant has been applied.
     
     
     
    Made by Academic Senate on 15 April 2011