Three Adelaide University scholars will spend nine-months expanding their leadership skills through the Westpac Australia-Asia Fellowship.
Up to 36 fellowships are awarded each year, with successful applicants participating in a nine-month leadership program, which includes two residential programs across four Southeast Asian countries.
PhD student Alecia Gee, who is working in green chemistry, and undergraduates Lily Bosland (Bachelor of Arts/Language) and Thomas Neville (Bachelor of Business/Commerce).
For Alecia, the fellowship will allow her to connect her lived experience with a clear pathway toward an impactful career.
“In 2024, I was given the opportunity to undertake a research placement in South Korea through a New Colombo Plan Scholarship,” she said.
“This experience, among others, has reinforced my belief that we too often look to America and Europe for collaboration.
“I believe Australia’s biotech industry has much to gain by leveraging the strengths and infrastructure of our Asia-Pacific trading partners.
“My group’s research around the use of enzymes for biocatalysis to address a range of sustainability challenges, from wastewater remediation to biofuel production, aligns closely with focus points of the Westpac Scholars Trust.
“Enzyme-based biotechnology is considered a recognised strength across the region and strategic partnerships within the Asia-Pacific offer opportunities to gain not only knowledge and resources, but also innovative approaches to shared regional challenges.”
Alecia said she was looking forward to meeting new people and learning from those who have already built strong partnerships.
“I’m particularly interested in understanding how these collaborations create value, and how I can apply those insights to shape my research and career,” she said.
“I also look forward to connecting with like-minded students and professionals who share a passion for leveraging Australia’s position within the Asia-Pacific.”
Lily said the fellowship will allow her to build on the learnings and experiences she has acquired over the years.
“It is closely aligned with my studies in anthropology, international development and Indonesian,” she said.
“Over the course of a previous exchange, I came to appreciate the importance of regional connectivity as the basis for engagement with Indonesia, which inspired me to apply for this fellowship.
“The experiences offered by this fellowship will assist me to develop a new lens through which I can critically analyse my past, current, and future studies – in turn strengthening my ability to engage with the region in a more informed and meaningful manner. I hope to apply my learnings from this experience to advocate for heightened Asia-literacy in Australia, especially in terms of language learning.
“I am most looking forward to connecting with others who are also passionate about strengthening regional relationships – including members of my cohort, regional leaders and innovators, as well as the wider Westpac network.
“I am excited to discover how we can utilise our diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and knowledge bases to build deeper regional connectivity and bring our unique aspirations one step closer to reality.”
Thomas said the fellowship represented a chance to develop his leadership skills and Asia-specific capabilities he wouldn’t otherwise have.
“I’ve had previous academic and professional experiences across the region, but I’m excited by the opportunity to be part of this well-structured program with other scholars and a shared focus,” he said.
“I study economics and finance, but my real interest has always been in how concepts within these fields apply to urban-based issues, such as transportation and housing.
“This fellowship is a continuation of this focus and will allow me to further explore how these concepts work in practice across Southeast Asia.
“I’ve always been eager to step beyond traditional academic environments, and I’m excited to be challenged by and learn from people with different perspectives and areas of interest.”