Cerebral Palsy Alliance Professor Henry J Cowan Memorial Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established for allied health students by the University of Sydney and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

b. The Scholarship is funded by a bequest from Professor Cowan.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in the Sydney School of Health Sciences in at least one of the following:

I. Occupational Therapy,
II. Speech Pathology, or
III. Physiotherapy.

b. Applicants must be:

I. undergraduate students in the third year of their course who wish to use this Scholarship in the fourth year of their studies, or
II. Graduate Entry Master’s (GEM) students in the first year of their course who wish to use this Scholarship in the second year of their studies, or
III. Doctor of Physiotherapy student in the second year of their course who wish to use this Scholarship in the third year of their studies.

c. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, New Zealand Citizen, or Australian Permanent Resident.

d. Applicants must be available to undertake one of their final practicums with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

e. Applicants enrolled in one of the following degrees must provide a letter from the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Occupational Therapy academic confirming that a placement at Cerebral Palsy Alliance would meet their placement requirements.

I. Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), or
II. Master of Occupational Therapy.

f. Applicants enrolled in one of the following degrees must provide a letter from the WIL Speech Pathology academic confirming that a placement at Cerebral Palsy Alliance would meet their placement requirements.

I. Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology), or
II. Master of Speech Language Pathology.

g. Applicants enrolled in one of the following degrees must provide a letter from the WIL Physiotherapy academic confirming that a placement at Cerebral Palsy Alliance would meet their placement requirements.

I. Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy), or
II. Doctor of Physiotherapy.

h. Applicants must have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to the field of disability and paediatrics.

i. Applicants must have the following:

I. a strong academic and/or practical achievement in the paediatric study components,
II. satisfactory academic achievement, and
III. passed all practicum units prior to their final practicum.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The successful applicant will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. evidence of completion of a recent clinical placement,
III. reference from a previous placement supervisor, and
IV. a personal statement (3 pages maximum) which demonstrates the following:

i. evidence of, interest in and commitment to paediatrics, disability and cerebral palsy,
ii. achievements in the field of paediatrics or disability,
iii. interest in pursuing a career in the field of disability, and
iv. evidence of any other qualities that contribute to working effectively as a member of a health care team.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the following:

I. Head of School and Dean of the School of Health Sciences,
II. Senior Lecturer-Work Integrated Learning,
III. representative from Cerebral Palsy Alliance, or
IV. their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at up to $1,500 and will be paid as a one-off payment following successful completion of the final practicum.

b. The Scholarship funds are to be used to support professional development, fees, textbooks or practicum expenses.

c. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Head of School and Dean, School of Health Sciences.

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another major, University School, Faculty or University.

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. commences part-time study without prior approval from the Head of School and Dean, School of Health Sciences,
III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application, or
V. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

6. Reporting

a. On successful completion of the final practicum the recipient must provide a 500-word report on their experience at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

b. This report should include key competencies/graduate qualities on:

I. ability to take on feedback,
II. self-directed learning,
III. reflection on own strengths and areas for improvement,
IV. passion/disability experience/paediatrics, and
V. teamwork skills.

7. Other Requirements

a. Recipients of the Scholarship are invited to participate in the evaluation of the Scholarship and in any longitudinal study of recruitment or career marketing of allied health professionals to Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

b. Recipients of the Scholarship are invited to provide their contact details and general employment details on graduation and for up to two years post-graduation.