The Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2025 HILT CRC–Curtin University Engineering Scholarships, following an overwhelming response to the inaugural application round.

The scholarships are designed to support high-achieving engineering students with a passion for green metals and the decarbonisation of heavy industry.

The scholarship recipients for 2025 are Jiun Wei Cheong, Kai Dunne, Nikita Ghorpade, Caitlin Oh and Fransiskus (Rio) Widjaja. Each of these students will receive financial support, networking opportunities and access to the HILT CRC collaborative ecosystem, including potential internships and involvement in industry-sponsored projects.

Originally planned for four recipients, the high calibre of applications led to an additional scholarship being awarded, recognising the exceptional talent of Australia’s next generation of decarbonisation leaders.

As part of their scholarship benefits, Ms Ghorpade, Mr Dunne and Mr Cheong (pictured, below; click for high-resolution version) attended the HILT CRC Conference on 14-16 October in Perth, where they had the opportunity to engage with industry experts and researchers at the forefront of low-carbon innovations for heavy industry.

HILT CRC Chief Executive Officer Jenny Selway said that the scholarship winners represented the next generation of leaders in Australia’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

“HILT CRC is helping our research partners build a pipeline of skilled professionals who will lead the decarbonisation of Australia’s heavy industries – from steel and aluminium to cement and beyond,” Ms Selway said. “The calibre and number of applications we received show that there is real desire among young engineers to be part of the solution.”

John Curtin Distinguished Professor Vishnu Pareek, Dean of Engineering at Curtin University, said the strong response shows the next generation is ready to lead the change in heavy industry.

“These scholarships are a testament to the power of collaboration between industry and academia. The outstanding response demonstrates the enthusiasm and capability of our students to lead meaningful change,” Professor Pareek said.

“We are excited to see these future engineers contribute to innovative solutions for a more sustainable world.”

Ms Ghorpade notes that the scholarship offers assurance that her efforts and aspirations are valued.

“This award not only provides financial support, but the independence to work more deeply in learning and leadership initiatives,” she said. “I can pursue the opportunities most meaningful to me, like internships in mining and energy and further technical studies in sustainable processing.”

The scholarships, which provide up to $15,000 over two years, support Curtin University engineering students committed to advancing the low-carbon transition of Australia’s heavy industries. The recipients also gain access to HILT CRC’s world-class network of researchers and industry leaders, invitations to networking events, and potential industry-sponsored internships and final-year projects.

HILT CRC is also working with The University of Adelaide, The Australian National University and Swinburne University of Technology to expand the program in 2026, creating a national platform for developing Australia’s heavy industry decarbonisation leaders of the future.

The 2025 HILT CRC–Curtin University Engineering Scholarship recipients

 

Jiun Wei Cheong (Bachelor of Engineering – Mining; Bachelor of Commerce – Finance)

Jiun Wei’s strong interest in how heavy industries can transition to low-carbon operations, along with his practical experience as a mining engineering intern, has inspired him to contribute to a safer, smarter and more sustainable mining industry.

• Quote: “HILT CRC’s investment encourages students like me to take an active role in shaping the future of heavy industries and gives us the opportunity to be part of Australia’s low-carbon transition.”

 

Kai Dunne (Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical)

Kai is driven by his passion for solving complex engineering problems. His scholarship will ease financial pressure and allow him to focus on opportunities in sustainable industrial processes.

• Quote: “I have wanted to make a difference to the world as an engineer ever since I was building piping systems in my Year 1 sandpit with PVC offcuts. This passion has only grown stronger over the years, and now, almost halfway through my degree, I realise that this dream will come true.”

 

Nikita Ghorpade (Bachelor of Engineering – Chemical; Bachelor of Science – Extractive Metallurgy)

Nikita’s curiosity for complex processes led her to a strong interest in clean energy technologies.

• Quote: “HILT CRC’s support facilitates the foundation of a career in innovation, sustainability, and social contribution that I hope to be able to pay forward to students in the future.”

 

Caitlin Oh (Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical; Bachelor of Commerce – Finance)

Caitlin has a personal interest in the decarbonisation strategies of major heavy industry companies, including the roles of renewable energy and green hydrogen in the WA mining industry.

• Quote: “This scholarship will allow me to focus my studies on the transition into a greener economy and deepen my understanding of industry requirements surrounding this.”

 

Fransiskus (Rio) Widjaja (Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical and Electronics)

Rio has a passion for renewable energy, industrial electrification and low-carbon innovation, and aspires to play a meaningful role in transforming heavy industries toward sustainable operations, using engineering as a tool to reduce emissions and create long-term environmental impact.

• Quote: “This scholarship is not only supporting my education financially, but it is also connecting me to a network of industry leaders and research opportunities that align with my goal of contributing to the decarbonisation of heavy industry.”

 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Adam Barclay, Communications and Marketing Manager, HILT CRC:
Mobile +61 405 357 468, Email adam.barclay@hiltcrc.com.au

Laura Thomas, Corporate Communications Consultant, Curtin University:
Mobile +61 466 561 374, Email laura.thomas@curtin.edu.au