Two outstanding UNSW students from Medicine and Science have been awarded Westpac Future Leaders scholarships worth up to $120,000 each to undertake postgraduate studies.
Lucy Carroll
UNSW External Communications
9385 8732, 0402 005 319
l.carroll@unsw.edu.au
Two outstanding UNSW students from Medicine and Science have been awarded Westpac Future Leaders scholarships worth up to $120,000 each to undertake postgraduate studies.
Nicole Ee from UNSW Science and Jaffly Chen from UNSW Medicine will also receive a nine-month bespoke leadership development program and the opportunity to study abroad.
They join 17 scholarship recipients in total from nine universities investigating solutions to some of Australia’s most complex issues.
Nicole Ee will use her scholarship to explore the relationship between social engagement and dementia risk. Through a PhD in Psychology at UNSW, Ms Ee will investigate if early intervention and increased social engagement may mitigate the onset or progression of dementia.
“I’m delighted to be a part of the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship program,” says Ms Ee. “The scholarship will provide me with exciting collaborative networks, global opportunities for learning, mentorship and a platform to advocate for and disseminate my research.”
Westpac Scholars Trust CEO Susan Bannigan, says: “This is a prestigious scholarship program attracting some of Australia’s brightest and most innovative young leaders. Amongst our 2019 recipients we have doctors, teachers, engineers and an aspiring neuroscientist – all working on research projects that have the potential to shape our future.”
Medicine student Jaffly Chen has a strong interest in Indigenous health and wellbeing. Through a Master of Public Health/Master of Health Management he aspires to work as a clinician, policymaker and mentor in Australia’s innovation landscape.
“I envision a world where all sectors of the health system are more closely integrated and personalised to the individual. I want to see GPs and specialists work more closely together, and for barriers to healthcare access in rural Australia to be eliminated,” says Mr Chen.
“I appreciate Westpac’s focus on providing generous opportunities to think globally as it demonstrates a genuine understanding of the importance of collaborating with global networks to positively inform local policy making decisions.”
The Westpac Future Leaders Scholars also gain lifelong access to the Westpac 100 Scholars Network.
“The Westpac 100 Scholars Network is proving to be a powerful differentiator for our scholarship program. With lifelong access to professional development and unlimited networking opportunities, scholars have the power to transform big ideas into real solutions,” Ms Bannigan says.