Scholarship helps international students from disadvantaged communities

Seven international students from disadvantaged backgrounds have begun postgraduate degrees at the University of Sydney, thanks to a new scholarship worth more than $100,000 annually for each recipient. 

The inaugural winners of the Sydney International Equity Scholarship come from Kenya, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, India and Romania. Several grew up in slum communities. Some  belong to minority groups that experience discrimination and disadvantage in their home countries. Others have lived through family tragedies that created financial hardship. For each one of them, the scholarship is life-changing.

“We’re proud to welcome these outstanding students to the University of Sydney,” said Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott. “In finishing school and gaining an undergraduate degree, they have already succeeded in the face of profound challenges. We feel lucky to have them and know they’ll make an important contribution to our community. 

“At Sydney, we’re deeply committed to helping talented students realise their potential, whatever obstacles they may face. We’ve boosted support for domestic students from low socio-economic backgrounds through the MySydney Scholarship program. Since 2020, our India Equity Scholarship has supported students from disadvantaged communities in Delhi. Now we’re creating opportunities for a broader group of international students to live and study in Sydney.” 

The Sydney International Equity Scholarship is awarded in collaboration with international non-profit organisations focused on alleviating poverty through education. Partners for the scholarship’s first year include Oasis Africa Australia, Asha India, CandleAid Lanka, the Learning for a Better World Trust, Ashinaga and the Roma Education Fund. Candidates recommended by partner organisations are assessed on academic merit, financial need and a personal statement. The University funds full tuition fees for recipients, as well as return flights to Australia, visa application fees, health cover, a living allowance, textbooks and on-campus accommodation – this year at St Paul’s College. 

Vice-President (External Engagement) Kirsten Andrews said the scholarship reflected the importance of the University’s international partnerships. 

“Our connections with organisations and communities around the world create transformative opportunities for students,” she said. “And while this scholarship will enrich the lives of its recipients, it will also enrich the University, with the scholars bringing a rich diversity of thought and experience to our campuses.” 

Karen Howe, co-founder and director of partner organisation Oasis Africa Australia, said the scholarship would change everything for recipients. “We envision a future where every scholarship student breaks the generational poverty cycle,” she said. “This is more than just financial aid; it’s a stepping stone towards a brighter future, a chance to stand out in the competitive job market, and a testament to the students’ hard work and determination.” 

Stories from our Sydney International Equity Scholars

Victor Kibisu, Kenya, Master of Data Science

Kenyan recipient Victor Kibisu, 26, has been supported by Oasis Africa Australia since he was a teenager in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum. He moved to the slum to live with his aunt when he was 13. His parents, who lived almost 400 kilometres away, could not afford to keep all four of their children at home.

As a student in Kibera, Kibisu sometimes struggled to get to school because he had no money for public transport. He could never have afforded the fees to finish high school without assistance from Oasis Africa Australia. The charity also supported him during his undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Applied Statistics with Computing at Kenya’s University of Eldoret. 

His move to Australia to study a Master of Data Science is a dream come true. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” he said. “To be going to a world-class university – it's something that just didn’t seem possible when I was a kid. 

“Through education, I have been able to achieve a lot. Without it, I’d probably be working very hard to sustain myself doing menial jobs. It’s not an easy life in the slums. 

“I have a dream of one day supporting kids who don’t have the resources to go to school. I’d like to be able to hold their hands and tell them it’s possible.” 

Nadeera Ashani, Sri Lanka, Master of Agriculture and Environment 

Nadeera Ashani, 27, from Colombo in Sri Lanka, will be supported by the scholarship in a Master of Agriculture and Environment. 

In Ashani’s family, education was always a priority. Her mother is a retired high school teacher. Her sister is studying agricultural technology. Her father was a storekeeper, but health issues forced him to leave his job. The family’s changed financial circumstances threw Ashani’s lifelong dream of a university education into doubt. 

She was able to progress to a Bachelor of Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenebyra with support from non-government organisation, CandleAid Lanka. Her sister is also studying in Sri Lanka with the charity’s support. 

In Sydney, Ashani plans to take part in research projects and gain industry experience. After graduation, she hopes to return home and work to improve agriculture in Sri Lanka. 

"I’m looking forward to sharing the knowledge I gain here with other students who will be entering my field of study in future. I hope one day I can support students from lower economic backgrounds, like myself, to help them in their studies." 

She is thrilled to be studying at the University of Sydney. “To win a scholarship at one of the most prestigious universities in the world – I feel so happy and proud of myself,” she said. 

Alex Stan, Romania, Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) 

Growing up in Bucharest, Romania, as part of the Roma community, Alex Stan felt as though he had a sign on his forehead that read “inferior”. 

At school his classmates called him tigani, or gypsy (a derogatory term) and refused to play with him. During his final high school exams, he was the only student frisked for cheating material. 

“When you are Roma, the perception is that you are not educated and not to be trusted,” said Stan, now 23. 

His mother, a hairdresser, never finished high school. She worked double shifts so his father, who worked in the family flower shop, could attend university and eventually get a better paid job as a local police officer. “They put an emphasis on my education,” said Stan. “Growing up, people saw me as a hope for our community because I spoke English and did well in school.” 

At the University of Bucharest, where he studied marketing with support from the Roma Education Fund, he got involved in student politics. He advocated for Roma rights and worked to combat discrimination in universities. 

This semester he begins a Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) at the University of Sydney, supported by the Sydney International Equity Scholarship. 

“I feel blessed and privileged,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity and a great responsibility. The work I do here must be done for the Roma people. I want to go back to Romania and put into practice everything I learn. When you advocate for one marginalised group, you advocate for them all. So many of the problems we face are universal.” 

Sydney International Equity Scholarship recipients, 2024 

India 

Tripti, Master of Strategic Public Relations 

Awarded in collaboration with Asha India 

Kenya 

Victor Kibisu, Master of Data Science 

Jacinta Nyanchera Onwonga, Master of Commerce (Extension) 

Awarded in collaboration with Oasis Africa Australia 

Nigeria 

Ebubechukwu Justina Emoh, Master of Sustainability 

Awarded in collaboration with Ashinaga 

Romania 

Alex Stan, Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) 

Awarded in collaboration with Roma Education Fund 

Sri Lanka 

Nadeera Ashani, Master of Agriculture and Environment 

Sachith Anjana Karunarathna, Master of Marine Science and Management 

Awarded in collaboration with CandleAid Lanka and the Learning for a Better World Trust