Top students honoured with scholarships

Scholarships

More than 100 of South Australia's outstanding students were awarded scholarships to study at the University of Adelaide, with a special presentation ceremony held in Bonython Hall at the start of the academic year.

The scholarships include the new South Australian Principals' Scholarships and South Australian Merit Scholarships launched by the University last year as a $1 million initiative aimed at retaining the brightest students in South Australia from every urban and rural school in the State.

Also presented were the prestigious Andy Thomas Scholarship and four Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships.

Three international scholarships - the Adelaide Vietnam, the Adelaide Outstanding Achievers International, and the Malaysia Australia Colombo Plan Commemoration scholarships - were awarded to a total of eight outstanding international students.

Former Aberfoyle Park High School student Kylie Bedwell has won the annual Andy Thomas Scholarship, named after one of the University's most distinguished graduates, NASA astronaut Dr Andrew Thomas. Kylie is undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace).

The Andy Thomas Scholarship is awarded annually to a new student undertaking Mechanical, Mechatronic or Aerospace Engineering who has demonstrated outstanding academic merit and contributed to their school and wider community.

Fellow South Australians Konrad Pilch (from Klemzig) and Michael Weightman (from Glenelg), who went to St Peter's College, Jenna Paterson, ex-Pembroke School (from Walkerville), and Alyssa Fitzpatrick, ex-Loreto College (from Auldana), won the prized Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships.

Winners of this scholarship have achieved a TER of 99.95 (excluding all bonuses) and have made a significant contribution to their school and wider community.

Konrad will undertake a double degree in Mechatronic Engineering and Mathematical and Computer Sciences and Michael, Jenna and Alyssa are undertaking Medicine. Alyssa also won a South Australian Principals' Scholarship.

Both the Andy Thomas and Adelaide Undergraduate Scholarships provide full fee remission for the approved program plus $5000 a year to help with education and living costs, for up to four years.

The Principals' Scholarships, worth $5000, were awarded to 86 students, nominated by their former school principal for outstanding academic merit and a significant contribution to their school and wider community.

The Merit Scholarships, worth $10,000, were awarded to 26 students who gained a perfect TER of 99.95 (excluding all bonuses).

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha congratulated the scholarship winners.

"These students have already revealed their academic potential and we are very pleased they have chosen to study at the University of Adelaide. The scholarships show our ongoing commitment to educating high achievers, and encouraging students to take up university study and to stay in South Australia," he said.

Story by Robyn Mills