The University of the Sunshine Coast Law School will award its first student prize at a scholarship ceremony on Wednesday 7 October.

The McCullough Robertson Law Prize, to be awarded to the highest-achieving student in Company Law, will provide $800 cash and a week’s work experience at the leading firm’s Brisbane office.

USC Law School Co-Head Professor Anne Rees said the new prize would provide an exciting opportunity for USC students to experience the inner workings of one of Australia’s largest independent law firms.

“Internships with law firms are highly prized by students,” Professor Rees said. “Not only do they gain valuable legal experience, but there is the potential for an internship to lead to graduate employment.”

The prize is one of more than $70,000 worth of awards that will be presented to 35 USC students at USC’s Semester 2 Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes Presentation Ceremony.

Media are welcome to attend the ceremony from 5.15pm to 7.30pm at USC’s Innovation Centre auditorium.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill will host the event, which features many awards donated by Sunshine Coast businesses, organisations and individuals.

Professor Hill said scholarships provided critical support for students in financial need or those undertaking work placements as part of their degrees.

“These awards assist in attracting and retaining the best and brightest minds from both here on the Coast and further afield,” he said. “Investing in people’s participation in education can transform lives.”

— Jarna Baudinette