USQ Engineering, Science student awarded 2021 W. H. Groom Scholarship

Nineteen-year-old USQ Engineering/Science student Matthew Armanasco is the Toowoomba Region 2021 W. H. Groom Scholarship recipient.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio congratulated the former St Mary’s College student on his academic and community service achievements. The award was presented at today’s Toowoomba Australia Day celebrations at Picnic Point.

Matthew, pictured, is in his second year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and a Bachelor of Science (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Physics) double degree at USQ.

He is the sole recipient of the 2018 USQ Chancellor’s Scholarship, which is awarded to students who demonstrate academic performance and community involvement.

In addition, he is the recipient of a QTAC Rural and Regional scholarship for academic performance, plus other scholarships, including the Kickon Bursary for academic achievement, and the Endowment and Equity scholarship.

Matthew serves as a USQ student ambassador, which includes encouraging prospective students to enrol at the university. This has involved travelling to Warwick and Dalby to deliver presentations to prospective tertiary students, especially in the STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

He also works as a student meet-up leader, where he acts as a mentor/tutor for current students in courses he has previously completed.

At the request of a former lecturer, Emeritus Professor John Grant-Thompson, Matthew was offered a role with electrical biomedical engineering firm, Neocot, which operates at Wilsonton.

“Neocot is developing Australia’s only mobile intensive care unit for prematurely born babies, allowing then to be transported while receiving specialist care,” Matthew said.

“I’m involved in looking at how we can monitor the vitals of the infant while they’re in the unit and relaying that information to people on the outside.

“The work is allowing me to complete necessary work experience for my engineering degree, including my honours project, which normally would be completed in the fourth year of study.”

When he graduates, Matthew wants to become an engineer and further his interest in bio-medical engineering.

“I’d also like to continue diversifying my skills and work in other fields of the industry to really build up my portfolio,” he said.

“I’m very grateful to Council for selecting me for the scholarship. The prize will greatly assist with my study expenses.”

Matthew receives $5000 in half-yearly payments.

Mayor Antonio said the scholarship highlighted the calibre of students at USQ and the level of specialist study that was occurring in regional Australia.

“Matthew is achieving top results individually, but also is contributing to a project that will have far-reaching benefits for premature babies and their parents,” Mayor Antonio said.

“Council is proud to award this scholarship to another worthy young recipient from the Toowoomba Region. Matthew has a very bright future and I look forward to hearing about his ongoing achievements.”

The scholarship was established in 2004 to mark the centenary of Toowoomba’s proclamation as a city and to honour the achievements of Toowoomba’s first Mayor, William Henry Groom.

W. H. Groom served a total of seven terms as mayor from 1861 and was elected to represent the municipality in the Queensland Colonial Government.

He was elected to represent the Darling Downs in the first Commonwealth Parliament and was responsible for much of the town’s early development.