News Archive

The University of Western Australia has welcomed more than 200 students through its new Hackett Scholarship program, which provides financial support to students from regional and metropolitan areas to ease the transition to university.

Last week, students attended a welcome camp where they had the opportunity to socialise, make new friends, tour the UWA campus and learn about the diverse range of study opportunities at UWA.

Senior Project Officer, Cameron Thorn, from the UWA Education Transformation team said the Hackett scholarships were introduced late last year, and the University was pleased to welcome its first intake.

“The Hackett Scholarship program was set up to make UWA more accessible to Western Australians,” Mr Cameron said.

“For some students, their circumstances may make them feel that a tertiary education is out of reach, so we want to support these students by helping them get to university through this program.”

Robert Sianipar, 18, from Kununurra is one of the first students to take up a Hackett Scholarship and will relocate to Perth this semester to study Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UWA.

Robert said living in a small rural town with no close universities meant less people dreamt of going to university in the big city.

“I’m really grateful that the Hackett Scholarship has helped me to study in Perth, cutting the costs and opening up opportunities to help me enjoy a university education,” he said.

“I’m also looking forward to living in Perth, meeting new people and getting involved in campus life.”

Hackett Scholarship recipient Jachinta Muhafidin, 18, from Maddington said she was excited when she found out she had been awarded the scholarship.

“It really took away the stress of worrying about expenses and my family are happy that there will be this kind of support so that I can focus on doing well in my courses and learning,” she said.

For more information on the Hackett Scholarships and the criteria click here

Media references

Jess Reid (Media and PR Adviser) 08 6488 6876