OREANDA-NEWS. Sydney Airport will sponsor scholarships for two University of Western Sydney students studying the Bachelor of Tourism Management degree next year.

"We're delighted and proud to be supporting students in Western Sydney and partnering with the University of Western Sydney with these scholarships," Sydney Airport chief executive officer Kerrie Mather said.

"Over the past three years, Sydney Airport has taken a lead in growing tourism for the benefit of Sydney and NSW through partnerships with organisations such as Destination NSW, Committee for Sydney, the Sydney and Western Sydney Business Chambers and a range of other tourism bodies.

"With the Western Sydney airport expected to be operational in the mid-2020s, now is the time to invest in the people who will drive the development of tourism in Western Sydney.

"Tourism is one of Australia's leading export industries and UWS's Bachelor of Tourism Management degree is a multidisciplinary program equipping students with the skills and knowledge to harness the demand to travel coming from Asian and Chinese markets."

Two scholarships, each worth USD 7,500, will be awarded each year for the next three years.

University of Western Sydney Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover, says UWS is pleased to be partnering with Sydney Airport to provide scholarships for those considering careers in the tourism industry.

"An airport in Sydney's west is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock the region's socio-economic potential," says Professor Glover.

"As the region's leading research and teaching institution, the University will be pivotal in providing the career-ready young professionals needed for the innovation-based industries that will emerge as a result of this significant infrastructure investment."

Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Kevin Dunn, said the degree offered students a unique mix of tourism planning and business management.

"Tourism Management is about economics, but also cultural and environmental sustainability," Professor Dunn said. "Partnering with Sydney Airport strengthens the preparedness of students to plan and manage international tourism."

The scholarships will be awarded in March 2015. Continuing or commencing students in the Bachelor of Tourism Management in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology will be eligible to apply.

Information on how to apply will be available next year from UWS.