Cochlear Offers Scholarship for Further Education

For Release: January 15, 2004

Media Release

Australian and New Zealand students with cochlear implant systems are being encouraged to apply for a scholarship that pays tribute to the Melbourne- based inventor of the multi-channel bionic ear, Professor Graeme Clark.

The scholarship has been running for two years and was established to encourage students with cochlear implants to attend university. The successful applicant is entitled to financial support for up to three successive years of tertiary study.

The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic achievements, strong participation in extracurricular activities/community service and demonstrated commitment to the Cochlear ideals of leadership and humanity. It is open to all prospective and current university students, including mature-age, who have Cochlear Nucleus® implants.

Phil Nicholl, President of Cochlear Asia Pacific, said: “We have been implanting children since the 1980s and these children have now reached the age where they are considering tertiary education. Cochlear is aiming to assist these students with the opportunity of the scholarship.”

“This scholarship is affirmation of Cochlear’s lifetime commitment to our recipients.”

More than 25,000 children worldwide have Nucleus cochlear implant systems.

The winner of the 2003 Graeme Clark Scholarship, Bill Raymond, is studying for a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Queensland. This scholarship is assisting Bill towards his dream of undertaking post-graduate studies as an audiologist.

Application forms for the scholarship are available from Cochlear offices and online at www.cochlear.com. Completed applications should be submitted to the nearest Cochlear office by 13 February 2004.

The Scholarship is named after Professor Graeme Clark, AO, foundation Professor of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne. The pioneering work of his University Department led to the first research multi-channel ‘bionic ear’ being ‘switched on’ in 1978 and to the first Nucleus implant in 1982.

More information call 1 800 620 929