Zema Energy Studies Scholarship
The Zema Energy Studies Scholarship has been established to honour the memory of AEMO’s founding Chief Executive Officer, energy reform leader and Monash alumnus Matt Zema, and is designed to support the next generation of leaders to meet Australia's energy sector challenges. It is created with the support of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council and in partnership with Monash University.
The Zema Scholarship aims to create a cohort of energy professionals with advanced multidisciplinary knowledge across Engineering, IT and Business/ Economics. The PhD program is intended to deepen student’s expertise, unlock their full leadership potential and help them gain exposure to Australia’s national energy industry.
The scholarship provides a $35,000 per annum stipend and will support the successful applicant for the approved duration of their PhD candidature, to a maximum of three-and-a-half years.
For more information about applications to the Zema Energy Studies Scholarship, visit the Monash University website.
About Matt Zema
On 23 July 2016, AEMO's inaugural Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Matt Zema tragically passed away during his eighth year of leadership.
Matt's accomplishments throughout his 30 years in the energy industry are many and long-lasting. His incredible contribution to the energy industry is unparalleled and all those who knew him remember Matt as an exceptional and visionary leader.
From 1999 to 2008, Matt was CEO of the Victorian Energy Networks Corporation (VENCorp), which was responsible for operating the principal transmission system for gas in Victoria and for the planning, procurement and augmentation of the Victorian electricity transmission network. Matt successfully led VENCorp through a number of complex emergency events, such as the gas supply disruption from the Longford incident in September 1999, and electricity supply issues in January 2007 due to severe bushfires and in April 2008 due to damaging storms.
Prior to this, Matt worked in general management roles with PowerNet Victoria, GPU PowerNet and GPU International, extending himself beyond the strong engineering foundation he had built at the State Electricity Commission of Victoria from 1983. He progressed quickly with exposure to regulatory management issues, IT, and people leadership and development.
Matt was appointed inaugural MD and CEO of AEMO in 2009, leading the transformation of the newly established entity, and building its reputation as a trusted, respected, independent resource for policymakers and industry.
The Zema Scholarship Fund
The Zema Energy Studies Scholarship is funded through the Zema Scholarship Fund. AEMO welcomes donations to the Zema Scholarship Fund, which is registered as a deductible gift recipient, with donations tax deductible in Australia.
For donation information, contact Paul Marotta, who can provide you with a donation form.