A James Cook University (JCU) marine science scholar will gain a unique opportunity to engage with the port industry across the Great Barrier Reef, thanks to a ground-breaking environment partnership between North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) and JCU.

Amy Cantrill (Class of 2020) has received the first Bachelor of Science Scholarship from the $5 million port-university partnership which has a leading role to help safeguard the Great Barrier Reef.

Miss Cantrill will study science relevant to applied management in the port industry. NQBP is the only port authority in the world with three priority ports, of Hay Point, Mackay and Abbot Point, located on the shores of a World Heritage Area.

Associate Professor Michael Rasheed from JCU’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) is co-director of the project.

“JCU is committed to having job ready graduates in marine science and it’s exciting to have students engaging with industry and receiving financial support to get their studies and future career off the ground,” he said.

“Bringing world leading environmental science to tackle real marine industry issues is an exciting space for students to engage and our partnership with NQBP provides a unique opportunity for this,” said Professor Rasheed.

Miss Cantrill said she was looking forward to commencing her new academic journey.

“I feel privileged to be the recipient of this scholarship, and am extremely grateful to the JCU and NQBP partnership for providing me with such exciting opportunities,” said Miss Cantrill.