Science and language: a perfect balance

Recently announced as a 2013 John Monash scholar, University of Melbourne graduate Kate Smith will be studying a Master of Environmental Engineering at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

The scholarship provides postgraduate students with the opportunity to study at top universities around the world and return to Australia with expertise in a variety of areas from Indigenous affairs to the environment.

During her Masters degree in China, Kate plans to look into the area of water reclamation, specifically treatment and reuse. 

She is looking forward to both her upcoming studies and future career possibilities, hoping to one day work as an environmental engineer for a major Australian or international engineering company. 

“I plan to initially work on water-related engineering projects in both Australia and China, with the aim of moving into project management. Eventually, I would like to be a partner in an engineering consulting firm focused on providing solutions to water management problems. I think water issues are likely to become more prominent in the future,” she says.

Research is also an important part of her future goals. She hopes to one day team up with institutions including the Australian-China Centre on Water Resources Research at the University of Melbourne. 

“A 2012 study indicated that when countries collaborate on water research, or when academics and people in the industry work together on this issue, the research produced is more effective.”

Ms Smith has always maintained a strong interest in the environment and science since she finished her undergraduate studies at Melbourne University in 2010, which included a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Applied Maths.

“I didn’t study engineering as an undergraduate degree, but I have a good grounding in physics and maths from my Science degree and an understanding of environmental issues gained in my environmental studies major.”

Ms Smith also has a Diploma of Modern Languages in Spanish and continues to balance her science studies with her love of languages. Soon after graduating, she ventured over to China to teach English full-time and learn Chinese part-time.

“Most of my time was spent teaching at a university in Nanning, in southern China. Currently, I’m living in Taipei, Taiwan, doing a nine-month intensive Chinese language program. The aim is to improve my Chinese as much as I can before I start my Masters, which is entirely in Chinese.”

Tsinghua University caught Kate’s attention for both its engineering program and its environmental track record.

“The university has been behind a number of impressive environment-related projects in China, including designing the first landfill plant for hazardous waste in China.”

The university’s location also provides a key insight into China’s water-related problems. 

“It’s located in the north of China in Beijing, where water is very scarce, farming is crucial and the population is massive,” she says.

Ms Smith says Australia’s water sector believes water reclamation is one of the most important methods for meeting Australia’s future water demands. 

“I hope that by doing my Masters in an area like this, I can provide a different perspective on water problems that affect Australia.”

For more information about the John Monash Scholarship refer to:

www.monashawards.org/