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The Gemological Institute of America(GIA) announces more than 140 opportunities for students to receive funding for coursework, including two new $10,000 awards from Tiffany & Co.

Scholarships are available for both GIA’s on-campus and distance education programs. Additionally, there are several on-campus awards for GIA’s international locations in Thailand, India, and London. Scholarships cover a variety of programs, such as jewelry manufacturing arts, the Graduate Gemologist and Accredited Jewelry Professional programs, and pearl and lab classes.

The Tiffany & Co. scholarships may be used for any of GIA’s education programs, depending on the student’s interests and goals. Michael Kowalski, Tiffany president and CEO, said the company did not put any restrictions on the awards, to keep them available to as many students as possible.

“We believe that a successful company has a responsibility to the greater community, whether that be concern for the environment and human rights practices or helping individuals become successful in the gem and jewelry industry, as is the case with these scholarships,” he said. 

Applications must be completed and returned by Oct. 30. A list of all available scholarships, applications, and instructions can be found at www.gia.edu/scholarships. Call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4131, or e-mail scholarship@gia.edu.

Separately, the Politecnico di Milanowill conduct its first international course in eco-sustainable jewelry design next spring, from March 14-19, 2011, at the school’s campus in Milan, Italy. The course, conducted in English, is being organized in cooperation with CIBJOand the World Jewelry Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF), the body established by CIBJO to advance the principles of corporate social responsibility in the jewelry industry. 

Eco-sustainable jewelry promotes both social and environmental sustainability, meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, says Alba Cappllieri, professor in charge of the course curriculum. 

The course will include two parts, the first dealing with the theory of eco-sustainable jewelry (7 hours) and the second being a hands-on workshop (28 hours). Instructors will be lecturers from the design department of the Politecnico di Milano and world-renowned experts in sustainable jewelry design, who will work together with the students on their practical assignments.

A maximum of 30 students will be admitted, and attendance will be mandatory in order to graduate. Applicants should be first and second level graduates holding a high school-level diploma from an art school or goldsmith institute, as well as professional jewelers wishing to specialize in eco-sustainable jewelry design. Candidates will be accepted following an evaluation of their professional curriculum vitae (CV).

Cost for the course is 1,000 Euros plus 20 percent VAT. A number of scholarships will be available; to apply for one, candidates must email their application forms and CVs by October 30 to formazione@polidesign.net.

Founded in 1863, the Politecnico di Milano is the oldest university in Milan and, with about 38,000 students, the largest technical university in Italy.CIBJO is the international jewelry confederation of national trade organizations. Its purpose is to promote international cooperation in the jewelry industry and to address issues of concern to the trade worldwide.

For more information, contactUfficio Coordinamento Formazione, Via Durando 38/a_20158, Milano, Italy, Tel: (+39) 02 2399 7275, fax: (+39) 02 2399 7217, email: formazione@polidesign.net, website: www.polidesign.net.