UQ tops the table for 2018 Australia Awards Endeavour scholarships

The University of Queensland’s reputation for global student exchange has helped attract 62 Australia Awards – Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships for 2018, the most of any university in Australia.

Next year, 62 students and fellows will share in $3.845 million from the Australian Government to undertake study, research or professional development, either from UQ going abroad, or coming from overseas to UQ.

UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said the high number of successful applications reflected an increasing international interest in UQ as place to gain a global education.

“Higher education is becoming an increasingly complex and mobile market as students scan top institutions globally looking for quality educational experiences with the flexibility to fit their personal and professional objectives,” Professor Høj said.

“To have the most applications from a pool of 37 universities is a great outcome for UQ.

“It’s a testament to the quality and reputation of our research and study programs as well as the opportunities available through our international connections.”

Of the 698 recipients, those coming from or going to UQ equate for nearly nine percent of successful scholars and fellows.

Of the 51 international recipients coming to UQ, 27 are postdoctoral researchers, nine are Australian Masters students, seven are undertaking professional development, five are PhD researchers and three are students researching towards an overseas qualification.

“Visiting scholars and fellows present a wonderful opportunity for UQ staff and students to study and work alongside their peers from around the world and we welcome them to our incredible campus,” Professor Høj said.

Many of the 2018 recipients will be visiting from India, Vietnam, Brazil, the United States of America and China.

In addition, 11 recipients from UQ will share in $353,500 to travel abroad. This includes six PhD researchers, four postdoctoral researchers and one recipient undertaking professional development.

Professor Høj said international exchange was a valuable advantage in a modern university education.

“I recommend that, subject to affordability, students travel abroad at least once during their studies to gain a global perspective on their field of study,” Professor Høj said.

The recipients from UQ are:

Endeavour Executive Fellowship

• Dr Alysha Elliott studying microbiology in the United Kingdom

Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarships:

• Cooper Smout studying human biology in the Netherlands
• Alathea Vavasour studying society and culture in Bhutan

Endeavour Research Fellowships:

• Diego Felipe Correa Gomez studying land, parks and wildlife management in the United States
• Lina Maria Gonzales studying biochemistry and cell biology in Germany
• Lucy Mercer-Mapstone studying education in United Kingdom
• David Muller studying human biology in Sweden
• Karri Neldner studying psychology in the United States
• Gianni Ribeiro studying psychology in the United States
• Ashleigh Shannon studying microbiology in France
• Matti Wilks studying psychology in the United States

A full list of international recipients is available here.

The Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham announced the recipients in November.

UQ attracted 17 scholarship recipients in 2017 (due to Federal budget cuts), 55 for 2016 and 50 for 2015.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0561.