The University of Sydney is pleased to announce Dr Ru Karen Kwedza and Amna Karra-Hassan as recipients of the 2024 UN Women Australia MBA Scholarships.
Dr Kwedza has been awarded the UN Women Australia Global Executive MBA Scholarship, while Ms Karra-Hassan has received the part-time MBA scholarship. The scholarships, each valued at over $60,000, support exceptional leaders committed to advancing women’s rights and opportunities globally.
The UN Women Australia MBA Scholarships are offered by the University of Sydney Business School in collaboration with UN Women Australia. They recognise individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, and a strong commitment to enhancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Dr Kwedza has a background in public health. She has worked extensively with various health care organisations in remote, rural and metropolitan settings. She currently works with the Cancer Institute NSW to improve health care systems, working alongside clinicians and administrators to understand and address clinical variation in cancer control.
With her scholarship, Dr. Kwedza aims to enhance her leadership skills and influence policies promoting equitable access and outcomes in cancer control. She also seeks to foster participation of diverse women in leadership roles, creating a collective impact to address equity in health care.
Dr Kwedza said: “I am deeply honored to be selected for the UN Women Australia Global Executive MBA Scholarship. This scholarship will provide me with the tools and networks necessary to make a broader impact. I hope to use what I learn to influence policies that empower women, particularly in regions where gender inequality is most pronounced.”
Ms Karra-Hassan, who worked for the Australian Federal Police before moving to the not-for-profit sector, will receive a part-time MBA scholarship at the University of Sydney. Her career has focused on initiatives empowering women by improving access to education and helps them find pathways to compete in sport.
Ms Karra-Hassan shared: “This scholarship represents an opportunity to advance my work in advocating for women’s economic empowerment. Through the part-time MBA program, I aim to develop the leadership capabilities needed to help women create lasting change in their careers and communities.
“I care about women’s lives and know that there are layered institutional, cultural and domestic barriers that women from all backgrounds experience. I work to promote sport health, education, and helping women believe that they have the right to choose.”
Dr Kwedza and Ms Karra-Hassan both aim to leverage their MBA studies to drive significant change in their respective fields. Their work aligns with values the UN Women Australia MBA Scholarships seek to promote: leadership, innovation, and a commitment to creating sustainable and gender-inclusive futures for women.
“The University of Sydney Business School looks forward to supporting these leaders as they continue their work to advance women’s rights and opportunities,” said Massimo Garbuio, Program Director, Executive MBA.
“Ru and Amna are poised to make a lasting impact on their communities and contribute to the broader goal of achieving gender equality globally.”
About the UN Women Australia MBA Scholarships
The UN Women Australia MBA Scholarships are awarded annually by the University of Sydney Business School, in partnership with UN Women Australia. The scholarships cover more than $60,000 in tuition fees and are aimed at supporting women who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to advancing gender equality.
The recipients of these scholarships gain access to the University’s world-class MBA programs, which provide invaluable exposure to a global network of leaders, professionals, and business innovators.
The partnership between the University of Sydney Business School and UN Women Australia reflects a shared commitment to fostering leadership and creating opportunities for women across the globe.
