Intrec Scholarship for The University of NSW 2011
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Joel Spira, winner of the Scholarship in 2011
As part of a three year arrangement with the University of NSW, Intrec has again provided a $7,500 scholarship to a student within the "Built" environment. Eighteen year old Joel Spira is the recipient in 2011, as determined by a selection panel from the University. Joel is a graduate of Moriah College in Bondi Junction and has enrolled in the Bachelor of Construction Management and Property course at the Kensington campus.
Although Joel is a first year tertiary student, he has already attained significant achievements in other fields, particularly music, where he has distinguished himself in music composition and as a trombonist. In 2011, Joel participated in the Encore concert at the Sydney Opera House and in 2010 had three of his compositions nominated for inclusion in the above concert, in addition to gaining a Moriah College award for outstanding commitment to the Instrumental Program. During the same year Joel received a Price Waterhouse Coopers Australian Economics Certificate of Credit. As if this year was not busy enough, Joel also participated in a summer residential camp designed for children with disabilities. Joel was a companion/carer of a child with Autism.
The youngest son of Paul and Anne Spira, Joel has two sisters (Katherine and Amy) and a brother (Elliott). Joel's first recollection of an interest in the building industry came as a young child when he was obsessed with "Lego". This passion was further developed by his uncle (an Architect) and other family members working in property development and management.
Although enrolled in the Construction Management Course, Joel is yet to determine which branch of the building industry he will pursue. The wide variety of options available through the Built environment at The University of NSW gives students both time to experience the various facets of the industry as well as exposure to presentations by building industry organisations. These can have a positive influence on the career path chosen by students.
Whilst travelling with two friends through Vietnam in late 2010, Joel was advised of his success in gaining the Intrec Scholarship. He stated that advice of the scholarship was the only positive news during this part of his trip, as he was close to the Chinese border at a town called Sapa, where the Internet Café used to check his emails was dimly lit and the temperature was 3 degrees Celsius. According to Joel, he was freezing from the time he arrived there and was feeling rather dispirited prior to opening the email.
Joel has expressed his appreciation to Intrec for providing the scholarship, which will mean that part time employment can be minimized during the forthcoming year, allowing Joel to concentrate more on his studies and his love of music. It is his intention to further pursue guitar lessons and double bass lessons in the hope of participating in a jazz band in his spare time in the future.
With the achievements that Joel has already been able to chalk up in his relatively short life, there is no doubt that this quietly spoken but eloquent young man is destined for a bright future in whatever field of endeavour he chooses to pursue.
Intrec Business Manager Greg Scott stated that "the Company is pleased to be able to support the development of young Australians, both in their academic and their cultural pursuits. The selection of Joel for the Intrec Scholarship could not have more closely matched the Company's aim to choose a student who is determined, focused and a credit to our community", he said. "Joel Spira ticks all the boxes", he concluded.