VC's scholarship makes life easier for two top students

Pictured with Vice Chancellor Professor McWha are Troy Tobin (left) and Lan Lieu (right) Photo David Ellis

Two commencing University of Adelaide students have had their transition from the country to the city made easier after being named as the inaugural recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships Fund.

Kadina's Troy Tobin and Mount Gambier resident Lan Lieu, aged 18 and 19 respectively, are now studying first-year courses at the university after achieving outstanding results in Year 12.

The Scholarships Fund was launched late last year by Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha, and is designed to help exceptional but disadvantaged students gain a start at the university each year. The fund operates through generous donations from university alumni and other members of the community, with Troy and Lan each receiving $15,000 over three years.

Troy said it was "nice and surprising" to receive the VC's scholarship.

At Kadina Memorial High School Troy earned a TER of 99.45, receiving a top score of 20 in Maths 1 and 2. He is now studying for a double degree in Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) and Science at the University of Adelaide.

"Electronic engineering interests me because it deals with relatively new technology and is always developing," Troy said. "There are always changes in the field, and it seems like there's quite a few job prospects."

He said the VC's scholarship would make a major difference to his life because he was living away from home to study.

At university all the responsibility's on you-you need to be more independent. It's even more different for students like me because I come from a country town," he said. "It will take a lot of the pressure off me so I can concentrate on my study."

Troy has also received the $2500 Adelaide Achievers scholarship.

For Lan, being notified of her achievement was an unexpected -but happy occasion.

"I was so happy I rang my parents straight after to tell them that I got a scholarship, they probably even heard me smiling over the phone!" she said.

Lan went to Grant High School in Mount Gambier, and received a TER of 99.75, with a top 20 score for Japanese. She is studying in the new Bachelor of Science (Optics and Photonics) course, as well as studying Chinese for personal interest.

At this stage, she is not too preoccupied with pursuing a set career path.

"I'd just like to do well in my studies and from there hopefully I'll get a good job," she said. "I feel that I'd be happy with whatever job I get that relates to the subjects that I'm doing now".

She said the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship Fund will definitely help her to better focus on her studies.

"The scholarship will greatly assist me with living costs such as bills, food and transport-as well as making up for the costs of all the fees and textbooks-which will leave me a little less worried about paying for these costs. With less pressure, hopefully I'll do better in my studies," she said.

Lan also received the Adelaide Achievers Scholarship, and a SA Women's Association Scholarship.

Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha congratulated both students on being the inaugural recipients of the scholarships.

"They are both worthy students and we hope the scholarship enables them to continue their academic success at the university," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone who donated money towards the Vice-Chancellor's scholarships. It is a unique opportunity for us to recognise and reward top students who deserve financial support, and your contribution will generate benefits not just for the students but also for the future of the State and the nation."

Story by David Ellis, Ben Osborne