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Australia's increasing focus on green energy technology has led to a graduate from The University of Western Australia being awarded a prestigious 2012 Menzies Engineering Scholarship.

UWA Electrical Engineering and Commerce graduate Ananth Dev Tayal will undertake an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development at Cambridge University in the UK.  He intends to explore the relationship between engineering innovation, renewable energy and sustainable development, particularly with respect to problems created by climate change.

"I'd like to position myself to have an understanding about energy policy and play a part in the Asia Pacific region. With the carbon price legislation coming in next year there's a big emphasis on new sustainable technology aligning technical aspects with political and social policy," Ananth said.

"I'd like to combine some of the professional aspects of electrical engineering in Australia with some of experiences in developing countries."

Ananth is president of the Energy Division of Engineers Without Borders in NSW, where he has initiated a remote assistance program for overseas renewable energy projects.

Now employed by Energy Australia in Sydney, Ananth spent three months at the start of the year volunteering in Laos where he helped to provide solar energy to remote regions.

"In Laos I saw how important government policy is and how Non-Government Organisations and other agencies work together."

The Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia, Professor Alan Robson, congratulated Ananth on his award, saying it recognised a long tradition of excellence achieved by UWA graduates in the field of engineering.

"It reflects a commitment to high quality engineering education over a period of almost 100 years and the high standing in the profession of engineering degrees attained from The University of Western Australia," Professor Robson said.

The Menzies Foundation provides scholarships each year for graduates to pursue studies in the allied health sciences, engineering, law, and medical research, as well as to attend Harvard University.

Media references

Ananth Tayal (+61 4) 50 047 367
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783