Students & Alumni
Students today become leaders of the future. Explore the numerous ways generous donations are empowering the next generation and how they’ve propelled alumni to where they are today.
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University alum and Poet in Residence are collaborating to celebrate Black joy
Through co-directing The Hate Race, VCA alum Tariro Mavondo is spotlighting the racism that marks Australian history while helping to foster an inclusive future.
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Noah Losa’s transformative University journey
Noah Losa marked his graduation with a unique twist - wearing drag. It was a moment for Noah to celebrate the transformative impact of his time at University.
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Recognising a career at the forefront of sustainability
As Director of Gardens at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, horticulturalist and alum Richard Barley MBE is passionate about the role horticulture can play in a sustainable future.
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Paving the way to greater female political representation
Throughout her education journey, programs like Pathways to Politics for Women helped Arts alum Katharine Nikolic dream bigger and envision her future career in politics.
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How scholarships aided Abhishek’s university journey
Scholarship support gave Abhishek Kansakar the chance to study at his university of choice – and now he’s giving back by generating positive change in Melbourne.
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Support is helping Rebekka strive for better health in her communities
Rebekka’s family fell into hard times while she began her Honours studies that demanded all her time and energy. But thankfully, critical financial support gave her a lifeline.
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Smiles all around at the Melbourne Dental School milestone reunion
The MDS milestone reunion at Science Gallery Melbourne brought together the classes of 1993, 2003 and 2013 to share memories and celebrate each other’s successes.
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Zoos Victoria intern fights for endangered Pookila
During an internship at Zoos Victoria, passionate conservationist Nadia Nieuwhof has been researching a native rodent and introducing it back into the wild.
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Forging greater bonds with alumni and partners in India
The University’s international community is an invaluable source of strength. We travelled to India to foster connections with the Indian alumni community in September 2023.
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Scholarship support helped Reagan recover from a difficult year
Through support from the Melbourne Access Scholarship, Reagan had the breathing space to deal with grief and uncertainty in his life while starting a new chapter at the University.
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How Melbourne shaped Edward’s career and character
MLS alum Edward stays connected with the University because he is passionate about how it has shaped him. “Some part of me is made by this city and also this university,” he said.
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Meet our alumni working towards a sustainable future
As the University mobilises its community for action towards a sustainable future, many alumni have become pioneers and changemakers across their own industries.
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Exciting advertising career ahead for alum Priyanka
Throughout her studies, Priyanka dreamt of starting a career in advertising. The Master of Marketing Communications helped her succeed and establish friendships along the way.
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Strengthening ties: Deans visit Southeast Asia
In early May, Deans from the University of Melbourne visited Southeast Asia to strengthen connections and foster growth within the international alumni community.
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Welcome home: Building international alumni communities
This year, eight University Alumni Associations around the world have hosted unique Welcome events, with two more to come, to help returning graduates establish themselves.
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Connecting scholarship recipients with their supporters
Many scholarship recipients never put a face to the life-changing support they receive. At the Celebrating Student Success event, they had the opportunity to do just that.
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David’s scholarship is helping him flourish
For students facing disadvantage, exploring all that university life has to offer can become a low priority. Through donor support, David is making the most of his experience.
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A night in New York: Innovative ideas and lasting connections
On 23 March, the NYC alumni community came together for the Vice-Chancellor’s NYC alumni reception to learn new ideas and forge lasting professional connections and friendships.
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Opening the doors for future generations
Thanks to the generous support of our donor community, Melbourne Access Scholarships are enabling students who experience disadvantaged circumstances to embrace all that the University of Melbourne has to offer.
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Instilling confidence in students experiencing disadvantage
When Noelle Schollenberger left a gift in her Will to the University, she left a legacy of providing rich learning opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Building up the next generation: Continuing a family legacy
Dr Richard Simmie is grateful for his family’s perseverance in seeking a better life for future generations. Today, he finds pride and joy in honouring their spirit through giving.
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Empowering future Indigenous leaders
I-LEAP is providing crucial support to Indigenous students. For Nick Harvey-Doyle, it means being able to help bring Indigenous perspectives to mainstream media.
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Supporting a career change to teaching
The Wei Family Education Scholarship is enabling Dionne to transition from a career in strategic communications to teaching where she can help students reach their full potential.
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Enabling greater Indigenous representation in law
A Melbourne Law School Indigenous Student Scholarship helped Maggie immerse herself in her law studies, leading to an opportunity in the School’s Indigenous Law and Justice Hub.
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Donor generosity supports Tyallah to blaze a trail
The Paul and Donna Dainty VCA Award supported Yorta Yorta and Chinese woman Tyallah to transition from the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) to professional acting.
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Louise Hanson Dyer: A life and legacy of uplifting artists
Louise’s life was characterised by generosity. Today, her gift in Will to the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music supports research, enriches student experience, and inspires excellence.
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The first Victorian woman in law is still shaping the future
The Flos Greig Lecture series are perpetuating Flos Greig’s pioneering spirit that transformed the basis of women’s admission into the Australian legal profession.
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Liam is building a better future with donor support
Today, Liam is thriving in his studies and looking forward to a bright future. But only five years ago, the idea of attending university felt out of reach.
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A lasting affinity with the University
Following her lifelong career at the Baillieu Library, Ms Mary Lugton’s legacy is now supporting many multi-disciplinary research projects into the future.
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Wattle Fellows: Growing leaders in sustainability
To create a sustainable future, we must foster a multi-disciplinary approach. That’s why the Wattle Fellowship is building global leadership in sustainability.
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A home in the heart of Melbourne's Arts Precinct
Brilliant artists need inspiring spaces, and the redeveloped Southbank campus is providing that backdrop for the University’s fine arts and music students – thanks to the support of visionary donors.
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Setting up students to thrive in their career
Bachelor of Commerce alum Belinda Tran describes how the First in the Family Scholarship, made possible by generous donors, helped her through her first year of studies.
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Support underpins a bright career in wastewater management
A range of scholarships, including one funded by University of Melbourne alumni from his home town of Mildura, helped carry Sam Skinner on his nine-year academic journey.
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The kindness of strangers
The Angelika Zimmerman Medical Scholarship, the gift of an alumni couple, is making all the difference for several promising young students.
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Where bold ideas are born
Wade Institute is a place for ambitious doers – like Karolina – to hone their skills in entrepreneurship. The Institute was established thanks to Peter Wade’s generosity.
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Scholarship helped Claudia achieve a family first
Claudia Cox’s dream of attending university had its challenges. The Grant F. Marani First in Family Scholarship helped her succeed through it all.
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Generosity helped Kasey find her feet in a difficult year
While the pandemic isolated Kasey from her family and proved to be emotionally difficult, the Bertalli Family Foundation Scholarship provided critical support.
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Rural vet’s passion for wildlife research helps career soar
Two scholarships – one created for veterinarian students, the other dedicated to wildlife research – enabled Doctor Meaghan Barrow to give back to vulnerable wildlife.
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Supporting our students now – and into the future
Ritika came to Australia to pursue her dream of becoming a scientist. In 2020, she was on the brink of graduating when the pandemic struck.
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Positive Melbourne experience inspires scholarship
Kate Mak is now studying at Melbourne Law School, which would not have been possible without the support of Asia Leaders scholarship.
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Giving bright minds a brilliant future
Originally from regional Victoria, Caitlin and Taylor were the first in their family to attend and graduate from university thanks to the First in the Family Scholarship.
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Standing by our vulnerable students
From emergency grants to cover the costs of critical study materials, healthcare, food and rent, to ongoing scholarships, your generosity has empowered so many.
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Building a future
The Future Leaders Scholarship has helped talented Melbourne alumna Renee Miller-Yeaman’s career go from strength to strength.
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Hansen Scholarships help students realise their potential
The Hansen Scholarships have been presented to some of Australia’s high-achieving students who face economic or other barriers, giving them the opportunity to study for the full three years of a bachelor’s degree.
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Advancing Indigenous Education
Thanks to the support of donors, Josh has been able to embrace his passion for sharing Indigenous knowledge and supporting Indigenous students.
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A global perspective: from rural Victoria to international connections
Thanks to the Dawn Wade Scholarship, Brett moved to Melbourne to study and lived with students from all over the world at International House.
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Empowering students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Grace developed a passion for Australian Sign Language when she was young. Through the support of donors, she became an Impact Coach for teachers at a school for deaf and hard of hearing students.
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Crafting a picture of women’s educational activism in Sumatra
In a time of great global upheaval, Bronwyn's scholarship has provided her with the support needed to continue her work.
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Nyadol Nyuon’s journey to justice
As a teen in a Kenyan refugee camp, Nyadol Nyuon dreamt of becoming a lawyer. Having found a home in Australia and with the support of a series of graduate scholarships, her aspirations would flourish into so much more.
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Supporting women in medicine
The financial support allowed her to meet her basic needs as a student. It also helped her arrange a training placement at a hospital in Colombo, treating women from culturally diverse backgrounds.
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Helping natural talent shine
Thanks to our generous donor community, talented law student Thea Stephenson has followed her dream to study at Melbourne Law School (MLS).
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Tyson Holloway-Clarke: An emerging future leader
To call Tyson a high achiever is in some ways an understatement.
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Bridget Loughhead: Giving rural students a helping hand
The Mildura Alumni Scholarship helped Bridget to move to Melbourne and discover her true passion for mathematics.
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Scholarship aims to empower women in the Super industry
The inaugural recipient of the Cbus Super Mavis Robertson Scholarship said she is proud to be an ambassador of the scholarship.
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Written from the heart
Anders Furze had a specific plan when he applied for the Master of Journalism degree: to graduate as soon as he could and enter the workforce.