Hansen Scholarships give outstanding students the chance to pursue their dreams
Twenty students receive the University’s most generous scholarship this year - including five undergraduates from the School of Biomedical Sciences.
The 2021 Hansen Scholarships were presented to some of Australia’s high-achieving students who faced barriers to attend university. These students have now been given the opportunity to study their Bachelor's degree at the University of Melbourne.
The event also celebrated and welcomed the 2021 Hansen Scholars as they were unable to hold an event last year due to COVID-19.
Congratulations to all scholars - in particular the five Bachelor of Biomedicine undergraduates (below) who received the scholarship this year. We wish you all the very best in your studies and beyond!
2022 Hansen Scholars (Biomedicine)
| Esther LianBraybrook College, Vic "I chose Melbourne because it has a high reputation in the medicine and health field. I study in a shared study space and seeing other students studying motivates me and reminds me I am not alone. Although the VCE was stressful, high school was one of the best times of my life – I was surrounded with supportive people and got to hang out everyday with my friends. During high school I focused primarily on my studies at high school but was also involved with the choir group within my church community, I played both badminton and volleyball and was part of the leadership team organizing school events. These activities taught me to be more self disciplined and prioritize my wellbeing. And this means doing what I love doing - but still committing to my studies". |
| Huda MousawiEpping Secondary College, Vic "I chose Melbourne because it provides me with the quality of education that I need to become a successful doctor. I am loving the in-depth learning I am undertaking in a field that I am interested I and passionate about. The University is rich in culture and diversity - the environment and its people are all inspiring. During my high school years the highlight was definitely the relationships I built with my peers and teachers, the opportunities the school gave me to build my leadership skills and always provided a support system to fall back on." |
Florence Noble | St Ignatious College Geelong, Vic |
Ella Scammell | Corryong College, Vic |
Hannah Wertiechovski | Marist-Sion College Warragul, Vic |
As part of their scholarship, recipients will receive a living allowance, mentoring and pastoral care, academic, cultural, career and other development opportunities. They reside in a purpose-built student residence, Little Hall, which opened in 2021.
Pictured above: Hansen Scholarship Program Director, Associate Professor Heather Benbow (back row far left), Hansen Scholarship Program Patron, Jane Hansen (back row second left) and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Maskell (back row far right) with the 2022 Hansen Scholars. Image: Drew Echberg
“After two years of adversity, finishing their high school studies during a global pandemic, the accomplishments of these students, who have shown extraordinary resilience and resolve to achieve academic excellence, are even more exceptional,” said Jane Hansen AO, at the awards ceremony in March. Jane is the founding patron of the Hansen Scholarship Program, and co-founder of the Hansen Little Foundation.
2021 Hansen Scholars (Biomedicine)
 | Zoe KnightThe Friends' School, Bellerive, Tas "Melbourne is a vibrant city full of wonder and excitement and has always been a city I wanted to live in. I am studying a Bachelor of Biomedicine because I am passionate about health sciences and would one day like to pursue a career in medicine. Receiving the Hansen Scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to attend my dream university, for which I am eternally grateful." |
 | Zahra MozaffariJohn Monash Science School, Hallam, Vic "The city of Melbourne offers rich cultural experiences that will allow me to develop interpersonally, all whilst enriching my academic pursuits. I want to study the Bachelor of Biomedicine and major in Immunology before progressing into Medicine. I aspire to work with Médecins Sans Frontières in the future. As someone that grew up with few opportunities in a war-torn country, I know the importance and significance of education and seeking opportunities. The Hansen Scholarship Program will allow me to continue pursuing my humanitarian pursuits by building connections and employing skills I have attained to continue the ongoing support I provide to local and international disadvantaged communities without the burden of financial stress. The Hansen Scholarship Program also means that I will become a part of a group that inspires the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and enthusiasts." |
 | Samara RoyLourdes Hill College, Belmont, Qld "The University of Melbourne has always been my dream university because of its amazing reputation and the atmosphere of the city itself. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and I know the education I will be receiving is at an extremely high standard. I want to study a Bachelor of Biomedicine and eventually go onto either research or becoming a doctor. I really hope to spend some time in rural or remote areas practicing medicine where medical care is particularly needed. Getting the Hansen Scholarship means the absolute world to me. I can study exactly what I wanted to do and not have to financial stress when moving and living in Melbourne." |
2020 Hansen Scholars (Biomedicine)
The inaugural Hansen Scholars announced in 2020 included six Biomedicine students.
One of the recipients, Elissa Abou Eissa, who came to Australia in 2017 with her family after the outbreak of war in Syria says, “Becoming a Hansen Scholar has meant a lot to me - it’s helped so much in dealing with the challenges I’ve faced." Elissa was featured recently in the University's latest Annual Report here.
About the Hansen Scholarship
The Hansen Scholarship is awarded to talented undergraduate students whose financial circumstances present a challenge to accessing a first-class education. The scholarship is made possible by the Hansen Little Foundation - and co founders Jane Hansen AO and Paul Little AO who believe that an individual’s life trajectory should be guided by their determination to achieve their ambitions, regardless of any limiting social or economic barriers.