Passion for policy leads to Schwarzman Scholarship

University of Queensland Bachelor of Economics Honours graduate Belinda McEniery has been selected from more than 3000 international applicants to join the inaugural Schwarzman Scholars class, a prestigious masters program in Beijing.

The scholarships, inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, include a $450 million endowment to support up to 200 scholars annually.

Ms McEniery was among the 111 students selected to spend a year at Tsinghua University in Beijing, where she plans to study a Master of Global Affairs majoring in public policy, commencing in August 2016.

“Given my experience in China, China’s significance globally and in the Asia-Pacific, and my interest in political leadership - there is no opportunity that parallels the Schwarzman Scholarship,” she said.

“I was attracted to the Schwarzman program because it goes beyond just being an academic program.

“In our time at Schwarzman College we will go on study tours around China, undertake internships and hear from a number of globally renowned guest speakers.”

Schwarzman Scholars has also attracted an advisory board whose members have experience in international policy and diplomatic challenges, including Kevin Rudd, Nicolas Sarkozy and Henry Kissinger.

Ms McEniery said she thought her passion for public policy, and youth input into policy, had helped her stand out as an applicant.

“I have a great interest in health policy, a complex policy area but also something I perceive to be a universal right,” she said.

“I hope to impact the areas of health and foreign policy in Australia through avenues such as think-tanks, public sector consulting and politics, all of which will be greatly complemented by an understanding of and experience in China.”

In her interview, Ms McEniery said she also discussed the challenges, and advantages, of growing up in a family with eight children – all of which are graduates or students of UQ.

“We were all encouraged to take up opportunities and get involved which meant that growing up, I was always exposed to a wide variety of my siblings’ interests and experiences - many of which have helped to shape my own,” she said.

Media: UQ Communications Katie Rowney, Katie.rowney@uq.edu.au, 07 3365 3439.