UQ welcomes Excellence Scholarship holders

High school graduate Wesley Draper was one of 147 new UQ Excellence Scholarship recipients commended at a special ceremony at the University on Sunday, February 22.

UQ launched its new academic scholarship program last year, with two types of scholarships awarded: UQ Excellence Scholarships, valued at $6000 a year for the duration of the student's program, and more than 200 UQ Merit Scholarships providing $6000 for the first year of study.

UQ Excellence scholarship recipients received their certificates from UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield at the event.

Sunday was the first time Mr Draper, from Neurum, between Woodford and Kilcoy, had visited UQ St Lucia, where he now studies a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.

The 17 year-old attended Kilcoy State High School, where he shared joint captaincy and was Senior Dux of his year.

Mr Draper encouraged other students to apply for a scholarship, with his successful application helping him to fulfil his dream of working for a national sporting team.

"After bouncing back and forth between professions such as Pharmacy, Dentistry and General Practitioner, I finally decided upon Physiotherapy," he said.

"Since most of my family and friends are sports addicts, why not enter a career where I can not only treat their injuries, but can remain in tune with science."

UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Deborah Terry said the new scholarships were one of the richest university merit scholarship packages for school leavers in Queensland and also one of Australia's biggest.

"We received almost 1500 applications from Year 12 students across Queensland including St George, Cairns, Charters Towers, Mackay, Rockhampton and Dirranbandi, as well as the Northern Territory, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and overseas," Professor Terry said.

"We were tremendously impressed by the depth of talent and the academic achievements of these young people.

"Selecting the recipients was a very difficult task. All 147 UQ Excellence Scholarship recipients scored an OP1 (or interstate equivalent), making them among the highest academic achievers in Australia."

Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619)