Engineering consultancy firm Pritchard Francis recently celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the Pritchard Francis Civil Engineering Scholarship, awarded each year to a promising UWA civil engineering student.

Recognising the exemplary academic and personal achievement of students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering (Civil), the scholarship has supported many of UWA’s brightest students, providing $10,000 plus paid work-experience and mentoring to launch their career and prepare them for success.

Hosted at The University Club of Western Australia, the 20th anniversary event celebrated the many alumni of the scholarship, and included a speech from Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Colmer, who remarked on the importance of the scholarship program and its support of students. He thanked Pritchard Francis for providing opportunities to UWA students through the program. 

Pritchard Francis has a legacy of investing in promising UWA students, beginning with the current Chief Executive Officer, Arthur Psaltis, who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1988. 

While undertaking his work experience at Pritchard Francis, Mr Psaltis was guided by founders Bob Pritchard and Lionel Francis in his professional and personal development and has continued to “pay it forward” to students and graduates.

“We have an obligation to the person, the profession and the community to develop people appropriately so they can reach their full potential. When we employ people, we are not looking to fill a role or task, we are looking at creating a career for that person within our firm.” Said Mr Psaltis.

Image: Past scholarship recipients, UWA representatives and members of Pritchard Francis celebrated 20 years of the scholarship.

Other graduates of the scholarship have followed in similar footsteps, such as 2020 winner Brianna Newnham, who recently joined Pritchard Francis after finishing her MPE (Civil) degree. Shaped by much of her experience as a student, volunteering with the UWA Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, and Teach Learn Grow, Brianna is keen to continue working with regional communities to improve their quality of life while in her role at Pritchard Francis.

Pritchard Francis and its UWA alumni have also continued to be professionally involved with UWA, as consultants in the design, administration and documentation of several projects across campus, including the recently completed (2020) EZONE and the School of Indigenous Studies’ Bilya Marlee buildings.

The scholarship’s most recent winner, Eunice Lim, who completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is currently studying an MPE (Civil), has begun her summer internship with Pritchard Francis.

The Pritchard Francis Scholarship will open for 2024 applications in March next year. Separate work experience opportunities are also available.