A portion of Leaders in Packaging revenue funds the $5000 Scholarship – awarded each year to an educational institution that prepares students for careers in packaging. Each recipient institution then selects a student or students to receive the funds to defray tuition and other education-related expenses in the next academic year. The 2017 scholarship was awarded to Rutgers University.
Professor Hae Chang Gea, Chair of Rutgers University’s Packaging Engineering Program, was pleased to learn of the scholarship, commenting: “On behalf of the Rutgers Packaging Engineering Program, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for your support of our program and the students that we serve.”
He went on to explain that “since 1967, Rutgers University’s Packaging Engineering Program has given students the multidisciplinary skills they need to compete successfully in this dynamic field. In addition to being the nation’s second-oldest packaging program, it is the nation’s only engineering school-based program. This ensures students will have strong grounding in issues covering a broad area of expertise from design conceptualization all the way to product deployment.”
According to Dr. Gea, “The Packaging Engineering Program opens the door to rewarding career opportunities in an industry focused on innovation, efficiency, global marketability and environmental sustainability. The Packaging Engineering Program continues to meet the needs of this dynamic industry by preparing students highly valued among leading employers for their creativity, analytical and problem solving skills and keen attention to details.”
In fall 2016, Rutgers launched the Master of Science in Packaging Engineering degree to enhance education and job experience for professionals working in packaging or a related field.
“Our best wishes to Rutgers and the students who will benefit from the 2017 scholarship,” says Joe Angel, Publisher of Packaging World and President of PMMI Media Group, of which Packaging World is a part. “We are pleased to be able to continue supporting the next generation of packaging professionals. This scholarship also underscores the many programs PMMI has for packaging education.”