AMSI Vacation Scholars experience life as a researcher, completing a six‐week research project in the mathematical sciences of their choice, and present their findings to their peers at AMSI’s two‐day student conference, AMSIConnect. Aiming to inspire students to continue with further research in the future, the AMSI Vacation Research Scholarship research project has led some students to their first academic publication. This annual scholarship program is open to intending honours and masters students studying at an AMSI Member University, and is viewed as an exciting opportunity to advance mathematical skills, develop an interest in research and expand the academic experience.
In 2016/17, after receiving 69 applications, the program funded 43 Scholars to spend their summer holidays working on academic research in the mathematical sciences with a supervisor at their home university. Each Scholar was required to prepare an academic research report, and a blog post accessible to a non‐specialist audience for submission, and to present their research and findings at AMSIConnect.
AMSIConnect, the two‐day residential student conference was hosted by AMSI on 8–9 February 2017 at The University of Melbourne’s International House. Scholars are funded to travel to and stay in Melbourne to participate in this event, which was viewed as an invaluable professional‐development experience in communication and networking skills.
