Online media production student Rhys Griffiths has an ambitious plan to set up his own media business before he even finishes university. With news of funding support from computer giant Apple, he might just get there.

Rhys is the first Charles Sturt University student to receive a seeding grant from the Apple University Development Fund, (AUDF) a sponsorship program developed by Apple and the Apple University Consortium (AUC), which has membership from most universities in Australia along with a number from New Zealand. Rhys is one of only twelve students from across Australia to be selected for the 2001 program.

The grant will help him develop software to allow Internet Service Providers to monitor and eventually charge users, to download QuickTime audio and video files from the Internet.

With an interest in online video production, this innovative plan is all part of Rhys' ambition to start his own online media business specialising in the production of video on the Internet.

"This is just such an exciting field to be in because it's just developing so fast. I can't even see exactly what sort of job I will be in when I finish my course because it may not even exist yet and I've only got two years to go," he said.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, any software Rhys develops during the 12 month program, will be made available to all AUDF member universities.

Rhys already has substantial computing experience under his belt, working part-time as an information technology service desk operator in CSU's Division of Information Technology.

Manager of CSU's desktop services and CSU's AUDF coordinator, Keith Hogan said the Apple fund offers a great incentive to young students.

"This is a great opportunity for young people with innovative ideas to make the most out of the latest technology that has been developed and in turn help discover new applications and creative ways it can be used to benefit the University and wider community," he said.

The AUC and Apple will supply an iMac DV and a copy of the latest development software package CodeWarrior Pro 6 and Mac OS X for Rhy's use over the next 12 months. CSU will store the equipment and provide a working space for Rhys who will have to report to the AUDF every few months on his progress.