None
Tuesday, 13 December 2011

A 25-year-old medical graduate from The University of Western Australia has been awarded an Australia-At-Large Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Vinay Menon graduated from UWA in April 2011 with a Bachelor of Medical Science with First Class Honours in Paediatrics and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with Honours.

Vinay is the second UWA student to win a 2012 Rhodes Scholarship, following the WA success last month of medical researcher Rachel Paterson (23), who studied at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School.

UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson, said Vinay's success was the result of outstanding ability as well as great compassion and a determination to improve the lives of people in remote communities around the world.

"His success also reflects well on the University's Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, which prepares its students to take on a wide range of vital work," Professor Robson said.

"Last year, Vinay was awarded the Young People's Human Rights Medal in recognition of his voluntary advocacy work with refugees, Indigenous communities and children living with a disability.  When he was 19, he co-founded a program called World Aware, which is based in Perth and run by Red Cross volunteers and staff.  They help refugees from various countries, including Sudan, Burma and Pakistan."

Vinay said the scholarship would enable him to learn from experts in the field of community development and public health.

"I want to spend my career contributing to disease prevention efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, and helping to tackle the Indigenous health crisis at home in Australia.  The Rhodes scholarship is an opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to make a real difference," he said.

The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting exceptional all-round students from diverse countries.  Established in the will of Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international scholarship program in the world.

The Rhodes Scholarships aim to nurture leaders for the world's future who are committed to service, and to promote international understanding and peace.

The Rhodes Trust offers nine Rhodes Scholarships in Australia each year, one for each State and three for Australia at large.

Media references

Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

Tags

Channels
Awards and Prizes — International — Media Statements — Teaching and Learning — University News
Groups
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences