The University Medal at the University of New South Wales is awarded to those students graduating with a High Distinction average for their course, i.e. a weighted average grade of 85% or higher throughout their undergraduate program. Since 1965 seven University Medals have been awarded to graduates in Food Science and Technology, the latest being this year after a 25-year drought!

The 1999 University Medal winner is Paul Heiskanen who told Food Australia: "I have recently completed a BSc at the University of New South Wales. After finishing this I began working with

"During my studies I have worked on a number of occasions with Weston Food Laboratories, and for the CSIRO Grain Quality Research Laboratory. These gave me an appreciation of the size of the industry and of the number of disciplines that are often included under the umbrella of food science. In the future I hope to have the chance to apply many of these disciplines to research or problem solving in the food industry."

"I was originally attracted to the field of food science by wondering why the food I cooked turned out the way it did (badly more often than not). Studying food science seemed like the perfect way to satisfy this curiosity, to do something that was very hands-on, and hopefully avoid being trapped in an office like many other professions. My cooking might improve too!"

"For other students out there, I would encourage you to gain a wide range of work experiences, partly to find particular disciplines you enjoy, and partly to see how the role of a food scientist varies within different organisations and companies. People already in the industry can also be a wealth of information, and talking with them is a great way to learn more than what can be found in the pages of any textbook."

Paul was the winner of an FTA NSW scholarship to attend the AIFST Convention in Melbourne. In April 1998, he won the AIFST NSW Branch Young Members Award in October 1998 and is a finalist in the 1999 Malcolm Bird Award. Congratulations on an illustrious start to your career Paul!

Food Technology's high achievers, Food Australia, Vol 51, No 5, May, 1999, p.179.