Narrm Scholarship Program brings dreams within reach
Community support for the Narrm Scholarship Program helps students like Gyan create a home away from home – and supports their dreams of building a better world.
During a family trip to Melbourne in his Year 11 summer break, Gyan explored the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus and fell in love with the grounds, culture and facilities.
But at the same time, he felt daunted by the prospect of relocating to a new city away from his close-knit family and support network.
“I come from Mt Isa: a small, red dirt mining town,” says Gyan. “But if I were to describe it for more than just its scenery: it’s a lovely, tight-knit community where everyone looks after each other.”
Gyan aspired to study architecture, motivated by the desire to create spaces inspired by his upbringing, where people and communities feel safe and connected.
At the end of Year 12, Gyan was working at his cafe job in Mt Isa when he checked his emails and saw that he had received an offer for his dream course: the Bachelor of Design at the University of Melbourne.
“I screamed and showed my boss and coworkers. I was so happy – I just thought ‘it's all coming together’.”
The moment was made even sweeter when Gyan realised he had also received a Narrm Scholarship to support him through his entire undergraduate degree.
The Narrm Scholarship Program provides talented students like Gyan with an annual living and accommodation allowance, a one-off relocation allowance and ongoing enrichment activities and support to help them thrive at the University of Melbourne.
To date, more than 900 members of the University donor community have contributed to the Narrm Scholarship Fund. Gifts of every size have pooled together to ensure that over 1,500 Narrm Scholars are bringing their dreams to life at the University of Melbourne.
The power of community to build confidence and capacity
During his first year of studies, Gyan says the Narrm Scholarship Enrichment Program helped him foster a new community away from home. The Enrichment Program includes social activities, a dedicated common area, learning skills workshops and career readiness activities. These bespoke offerings have been specifically designed with the needs of under-represented students in mind: to build confidence and self-efficacy, and a strong sense of cohort and belonging on campus.
Gyan says, “It's been such a huge blessing because I've been able to meet so many amazing people, and I've definitely found lifelong friends. The Enrichment Program staff are also there to help with academic needs or work experience and have given me wonderful advice on studying and steps I can take to strive for the best possible career.”
Now in his second year of study, Gyan is embracing the opportunity to give back to the Narrm Scholarship Program. Gyan helped welcome the next cohort by working as a host at the pre-orientation camp for Narrm Scholars who commenced in 2025.
Seeing all the new cohort get together and make new friends was such a gratifying experience.
“While it’s nice to be independent, being able to support — and be supported by — others is such an amazing experience. It can’t be traded for anything else.”
Fostering a values-driven future
Gyan credits the Narrm Scholarship Program with enabling his self-growth, reflection and discovery. This, he feels, is especially significant given that he is so far from home. Gyan intends to enrol in the Master of Architectural Engineering after his Bachelor of Design.
“What I've learned from studying architecture is to build empathy for people and consider how the practice can affect social groups,” he says. “In the future, when I do get into my career, I hope to make my life goals and values merge together.”
To the donor community who continue to support the Narrm Scholarship Program, with gifts of all sizes, Gyan says: “I am incredibly grateful for what you have given me. I feel that this opportunity has shaped me fundamentally as a person.”
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