Zheyi Industry PhD Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide support a PhD student within the School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering where the focus of their research in advancing sustainable computing research aligned with Net Zero and climate adaptation goals.

b. This Scholarship is funded by industry partner Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd (the grantor) and the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

c. These Terms and Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the Student Scholarship Agreement (the Scholarship Agreement) between Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd, the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a PhD within the School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be willing to work on a project in advancing sustainable computing research aligned with Net Zero and climate adaptation goals.

c. Applicants must be supervised by Professor Chang Xu of School of Computer Science.

d. Applicants must be willing to work closely with the industry partner Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd and the supervisory team.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. curriculum vitae, and
III. area of study and/or research proposal.

b. Applicants agree that the University may share their application with Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd for the purpose of the scholarship selection.

c. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship by the relevant research supervisor(s), or their nominated delegate(s) in consultation with Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd. The final decision rests with the University of Sydney..

4. Value

a. The Scholarship will provide a stipend allowance equivalent to the University of Sydney Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend rate per annum (indexed on the 1 January each year) for up to 3.5 years with no possible extension, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

b. The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) are also provided for up to fourteen research periods, subject to satisfactory academic performance. No possible extension.

c. The Scholarship will provide $5,000 per annum for up to 3.5 years to support the student’s research costs, which include, but are not limited to, airfare, travel insurance, and consumables/equipment. This amount will be reimbursed to the recipient upon provision of receipts through their lead supervisor.

d. The Scholarship is for commencement on the relevant period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred or transferred to another area of research without prior approval from the grantor and the lead supervisor.

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. The Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation including all the required candidature milestones and remaining enrolled in their PhD.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the lead supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carers leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their lead supervisor as soon as practicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. Scholarship recipients may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's lead supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC) and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.

8. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the Grantor, student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC, the grantor, and their lead supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid SSAF or stipend.

10. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from the relevant research supervisor and the grantor,
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. if the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value,
VI. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave,
VII. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave), or
VIII. in accordance with the termination clauses of the Scholarship Agreement.

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

11. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.

12. Acknowledgement

a. The successful scholarship recipient must acknowledge the support of Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd on the student’s thesis in the form and position approved by the Student and the University.

b. The recipient agrees to provide a copy of their thesis to the Grantor in advance of submitting it for publication.

13. Other Requirements

a. The successful recipient agree to comply with any other reasonable requirements related to Intellectual Property, Thesis, publications and confidentiality to allow the University to comply with their contractual arrangements with Zheyi Pipeline Industry (Wuhan) Co Ltd. Details are provided by the relevant research supervisor.