Career-changing trip
A TOOWOOMBA academic will take part in the Fulbright Scholarship program, contributing to a five-decade long tradition that forges stronger relations between Australia and the United States.
Professor Geoff Cockfield from the University of South Queensland will travel to Kansas State University to conduct agricultural research with the support of the $72,000 scholarship.
“I congratulate Professor Cockfield on this significant achievement. It will no doubt be a career-changing experience and he will do the people of Toowoomba proud,” Groom MP John McVeigh said.
“And while it will have an indelible impact on their lives, the Fulbright Scholarship program also has a significant effect on us all through the vital and leading research that is undertaken in areas of public importance.
“I wish them the best of luck with their endeavours in the United States.”
The Fulbright Scholarship Program was the first treaty level agreement between the United States and Australia and aims to increase cultural understanding, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Professor Cockfield will leave for Kansas in September for a six-month stay before returning to Toowoomba in February.
“This trip will give me a chance to undertake a comparative study of agricultural policies between the United States and Australia, considering a number of issues,” Professor Cockfield said.
“The United States has a number of similar issues to Australia such as retaining family farms, managing water allocations for irrigation, ensuring food security and our desire for cheap food on our dinner tables.”