The AIP are pleased to announce that Andrew U'Ren AAIP, who was one of the AIP Scholarship winners through the Southern Cross Awards program in 2011, has graduated from the Certificate in Packaging. Andrew U'Ren spoke to the AIP about the opportunity that the scholarship offered him to further his packaging education.

"In 2011 I was awarded the AIP Scholarship to undertake the Certificate in Packaging as a part of the Southern Cross Packaging Awards program. As a graphic design student the opportunities of the Certificate in Packaging allowed me to expand on my knowledge of packaging in specific areas of interest.

Being an online based course presented challenges that can often thwart a students learning experience, whilst staying focused, but the AIP provided me with fantastic mentors from the packaging industry who not only provided me with a wealth of information but who also helped me stay positive and active. Learning new and unknown material online is very different compared to learning in a classroom with a lecturer." Mr U'Ren said.

"In 2013 I successfully completed the course through various site visits to factories that manufacture packaging materials, keeping in contact via email and skype with AIP mentors, sourcing packaging text books courtesy of the AIP, asking questions and having work proof read by industry personnel. Design students who have a key interest in packaging often do not possess fundamental knowledge of pack structure or packaging materials.

The Certificate in Packaging provides students with the chance to broaden their interests in new areas of packaging. Currently I am using my Certificate in Packaging along with my Degree in graphic design to seek employment in the packaging industry where I hope to liaise graphic design with pack function." he said.

For further information on the Certificate in Packaging please contact the AIP on +61 7 3278 4490 or email educate@aipack.com.au or visit www.aipack.com.au