CQUniversity celebrates long-standing scholarship partnership with Adam Scott Foundation

CQUniversity's ongoing partnership with the Adam Scott Foundation means three new students are able to achieve their study goals after being awarded CQUniCares Adam Scott Foundation Scholarship this year.

The partnership' which commenced in 2013' has supported 16 students to continue their studies at CQUniversity in a variety of disciplines.

The Term 1' 2021 recipients include Bundaberg-based Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) student Kellara Harney' who has received the full scholarship (up to $50 000)' while fellow CQUni student Madison Bruce received a scholarship valued at $5000 per year for four years' and Emilie Vernon received a bursary' valued at $1000 per year.

Adam Scott Foundation Chair Andrew Hay and CQUni Associate Vice-President Gladstone and Wide Bay Region Luke Sinclair recently met with Kellara.

Kellara moved to Bundaberg from Blackall in Central West Queensland to study Occupational Therapy.

"I'm absolutely thrilled - knowing how hard I have worked to get here' and generally just having my achievements recognised is really flattering'" she said.

"Being the first in my family to attend university is definitely a daunting task' however the financial stress - especially since I moved from such a rural location to Bundaberg to study - was a financial burden' let alone the costs involved with study. That is probably the biggest way (the scholarship) has helped me so far."

Bachelor of Echocardiography and Cardiac Physiology/Graduate Diploma of Echocardiography student' Madison' was motivated to study echocardiography as a result of her time spent undergoing treatment in hospital for juvenile idiopathic arthritis while growing up in Hervey Bay. While she has mostly studied online' her second year will be on campus in Brisbane.

"I'm very grateful to the Foundation for the scholarship. It would have been very hard for me to move down to Brisbane next year without it'" she said.

"I'll be the first-in-family to go to uni so I'm excited and nervous at the same time."

"The Adam Scott Foundation is very pleased with the relationship we have developed with CQU' which continues to provide an opportunity for many students to reach their dream of a university education in their chosen field. It is wonderful to meet some of the students and to hear' firsthand' their experiences. We wish them well in their ongoing studies." said Andrew as Chair on behalf of the Adam Scott Foundation.

Two other students' Rockhampton-based Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) student Nyssa Tait and fourth-year Rockhampton Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) student David West' also revealed how their ASF scholarships had helped them' as they approach the end of their studies.

"It's changed mine and my family's lives for the better' and it will continue to do so well after I have graduated - I am so grateful to the Adam Scott Foundation'" Nyssa said.

"It has also given me the encouragement to get through those hard times that all students experience. I never had to choose between raising my family and the financial cost of university' which is such an incredible privilege'" she said.

David West said he felt honoured to receive the scholarship.

"It's nice to know that there are people and organisations out there who understand the struggles faced by the financially disadvantaged and are willing to put in the time and funding to help out. I feel understood and appreciated'" he said.

"The scholarship has completely changed the way I look at my financial future. Without it' my financial plans would be week to week' month to month expenses with not much room for planning or saving."

There are plans in place to further expand the partnership in coming months to further destinations around Australia as part of the foundation vision.

The CQUniCares Scholarship program changes lives and CQUni is grateful to partner with foundations like the Adam Scott Foundation who share the University's passion for making a difference in the lives of our students' their families and our communities.