Pro-invest Group has partnered with Southern Cross University on a new equity scholarship and internship program that aims to introduce diverse talents and perspectives to the hotel industry.
As an owner and manager of one of Australia’s largest independent hotel portfolios, Pro-invest Group will play an important role in providing access to paid internships, mentorships, and potential employment opportunities within the hotel industry, as well as financial assistance to support studies.
“This collaboration will be transformative for scholarship recipients who can immerse themselves in university life and embark on an exciting career, without financial hardship,” said Southern Cross University Chief Marketing Officer, Dean Gould.
“It will also prepare more students to be innovators in the tourism and hotel sector, and allow the industry to benefit from fresh talent.”
A minimum of two Pro-invest Group RISE Hotel Management Scholarships – valued at $5,000 each – will be awarded annually, with three scholarships already being issued as part of the internal program.
“The RISE program – Reaching for Inclusion through Scholarships and Experiences – is at the heart of our mission to showcase hospitality as a vibrant, rewarding career filled with endless opportunities,” said Pro-invest Group General Counsel, Anthony Ursino
“Our partnership with Southern Cross University aims to support aspiring professionals, guiding them towards fulfilling careers.
“Through scholarships and internships, we’re committed to not just educating, but empowering individuals with the skills and experiences to thrive in this dynamic industry.”
Pro-invest Group’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Manager, Cindy Van der Wal – a Southern Cross alumnus, who earned a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management with Honours and Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management – has been a driving force behind the RISE program.
“When developing the RISE program as part of our One Earth, Countless Experiences strategy together with Anthony Ursino, General Counsel at Pro-invest Group, I instantly thought back to my own experience at Southern Cross University and what an incredible time I had as a student embarking on my own career within the hotel sector,” said Van der Wal.
“I love seeing the scholarship program come to life by providing students passionate about the industry an opportunity to propel their careers and become the next generation of hotel leaders.
“It will be a wonderful opportunity to track the careers of the RISE scholarship graduates and learn what rewarding career paths within our industry they pursue. The opportunities are endless once you start on this career path.”
Partly funded by the state governments’ 10-cent container refund scheme, operating within the company’s many hotels, the scholarship program brings together social and environmental
“Our hotel operation teams are very excited about the initiative, because we’re not only helping people gain access to their chosen career, we’re also supporting waste recycling efforts. It is encouraging to know that 100 percent of the scholarship funding is going directly to the students,” she said.
Pro-invest Group corporate donations and an annual staff ‘RISE’ raffle will continue to support the scholarship program, which Ursino says will enrich the sector for years to come.
“It’s designed to bring people together, nurture their potential, and guide them towards becoming the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.