A University of Queensland student will complete his degree in Copenhagen thanks to Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

Journalism student Shi Pui Ng has been awarded the prestigious Crown Princess Mary Scholarship from the University of Copenhagen.

Shi recently accepted his scholarship from Princess Mary at a special ceremony in Denmark, and used the opportunity to ask the Crown Princess her secret to learning Danish. 

“She told me it was a matter of time,” Shi said. 

“We also talked about everything from politics and youth engagement, to renewable energy and the environment, radicalism and activism in the digital age, and even fruit ­– I have no idea how we got there.”

The Crown Princess Mary Scholarship provides assistance to two outstanding Australian students studying at the University of Copenhagen each year, and was part of the University of Copenhagen’s wedding gift to the Crown Prince couple.

During the ceremony, Princess Mary spoke of the importance of intercultural exchange and digital development.

“I’m convinced that the University of Copenhagen will benefit greatly from your visions, your ideas and your academic knowledge,” Princess Mary said in her speech.

Shi believes the process of applying for the scholarship made him take stock of his achievements, academically and professionally.

“I have to thank my lecturers at UQ,” he said.

“As referees, not only did they write incredibly kind words on my behalf, but they also afforded me some amazing extra-curricular opportunities.

“I was a Student Partner involved in the co-creation and evaluation of the Media and Society course as part of a blended learning initiative, and served as the lead contributor of JACdigital – a place to showcase Communication and Arts students’ work.”

This is not Shi’s first award, last year he received a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant, which allowed him to go on a foreign correspondence trip to Jakarta, Indonesia.

“I think the opportunities afforded to me through UQ really showcase the range and breadth of opportunities for students to really engage with their education, and develop soft skills outside of the classroom that are sure to benefit them professionally.”

Media: Jan McCreary, Global Experiences, jan.mccreary@uq.edu.au +61 7 3365 2852;  Josie Dietrich, UQ Communications, j.dietrich@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0619.