Adelaide students win PM's scholarships

Scholarships

Four University of Adelaide students have been awarded Federal Government scholarships valued up to $63,000 to study and work in Asia under a new program initiated by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

The students have won a prestigious Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award - the Asian equivalent of a Rhodes Scholarship - which was presented by the Prime Minister in Canberra last month.

The Awards provide educational and living expenses for 6-12 months of study in 2010 at a university of their choice in Asia, followed by internships of up to a year. They are valued at up to $63,500 for postgraduates and up to $41,500 for undergraduates.

Jade Cooper (studying Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies/Diploma of Languages (Japanese)) will attend Osaka University, Japan, taking a combination of Law, Foreign Affairs and Japanese language courses.

Michelle Lee (PhD student in Orthopaedics) will go to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, to research traditional Chinese medicine and the effects on bone cancer.

Matthew Rodda (PhD student in Bioscience) is off to the Institute of Urban Environment within the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to undertake research on the physiology of rice plants.

Kathleen Wang (Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)) will visit the University of Hong Kong, to study intercultural psychology and holistic health care.

All plan to take internships with Asian companies or organisations relevant to their degrees once they have completed their study components.

The University of Adelaide's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha, said the Awards provided a unique opportunity for local students.

"The Australia Endeavour Awards will help our students undertake research that is not only relevant to their degree, but they will gain international work experience and build a professional network in Asia.

"It's a wonderful achievement and an opportunity to establish lifelong career collaborations. These awards also further cement the University's strong links with Asia," Professor McWha said.

Story by Candy Gibson