The cream of the crop

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Fred Hilmer has held a reception to welcome some elite scholars to the University.

Twenty-seven students were given prestigious Scientia Scholarships this year.

The scholarships, which are valued at $10,000 each year for up to five years and are tax free, are offered to students who receive a UAI or equivalent of 99.9 or above.

"We take great pride in the broad range and high quality of our teaching programs, from which you will benefit," said Professor Hilmer. "The Scientia Scholars program offers a flexible and rewarding education for students who enter UNSW under this prestigious scholarship."

A second reception was held for the winners of the Academic Achievement Awards (AAA) awards.

Some 166 students were given these awards, for students nominated as the top student of their school by the principal.

Professor Anthony Dooley, the head of the Academic Board, welcomed the award winners to UNSW.

The AAA awards, which are valued at a minimum of $4,000, are a new initiative, designed to encourage academically gifted local Higher School Certificate students from NSW and the ACT to undertake undergraduate study at UNSW.

NSW and ACT high school principals are each asked to nominate the school's top student, based on the average of available academic results for years 11 and 12.

For further information on both the Scientia scholarships and the AAA awards, go to the Scholarships website