2012 Queensland Rhodes Scholar to focus on disaster response

Amanda Rojek, a medical student from the The University of Queensland is ready to tackle global health when she embarks on her Rhodes Scholarship at the University of Oxford next year.

Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley AC, made the announcement at Government House this afternoon, acknowledging Ms Rojek as the winner of the prestigious scholarship.

Having completed her undergraduate degree at QUT in applied sciences (human movement studies), the 25-year-old from Redbank Plains wanted to take her academic achievements further and applied for postgraduate medicine at UQ and will graduate this December.

“I am being mentored by extraordinary doctors who are of a world-class standard,” Ms Rojek said.

“The teaching quality at UQ has placed myself and my colleagues in good stead as the doctors of the future.”

Competing against six short-listed candidates, Ms Rojek said she could not believe it when her name was announced as the winner.

“All candidates were remarkably impressive,” Ms Rojek said.

Looking to the future, Ms Rojek said she can see the benefit of studying a Masters in Global Health Science overseas to provide a different perspective and embrace opportunities not available at home while learning from the world’s best leaders.

However, she said she will return to Australian soil.

“I will definitely come back to Australia with the hope to work in disaster response and disaster management,” Ms Rojek said.

Although not in south-east Queensland at the time of the January floods, Ms Rojek said the life-changing event cemented her decision to work in the response and management of disasters.

“It is great to see the city rebuild,” she said.

Ms Rojek wished to sincerely thank the six individuals who wrote referee letters for her and supported her through the Rhodes Scholarship application process.

“Dr Ian Stewart from QUT; Charles Kantrow from UQ’s Ochsner Clinical School alliance in New Orleans; Dr Charles Worringham from QUT; Associate Professor Bruce Chater, Head of Discipline, Rural and Remote Medicine; Dr Adam Scott from the Royal Brisbane Hospital and Mr Ian White, a high school teacher from Brigidine College have all helped me in my education journey.”

BACKGROUND ON RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS

Founded in 1902 under the will of the late Cecil John Rhodes, The Rhodes Scholarships are tenable at the University of Oxford for an initial two years, with the possibility of a third.

Successful applicants must be aged between 18 and 25 years and be citizens of the country from which they are selected.

Scholarships are assigned annually in Australia, Canada, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the United States, Germany, British Caribbean, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Kenya and Hong Kong.

Past Rhodes Scholars include former USA president Bill Clinton and astronomer Edwin Hubble. Well-known Australian Rhodes Scholars include, former prime minister Bob Hawke, Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott, human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson and author Richard Flanagan.

Since the scheme began, about 500 Rhodes Scholars have been selected. Women became eligible in 1972.

The qualities set out by the late Cecil Rhodes for those seeking Rhodes Scholarships include academic and intellectual excellence, integrity of character, respect for fellow beings and a capacity for leadership. Sporting prowess is an advantage, but not a necessity.

The first Rhodes Scholarship was awarded in Queensland in 1904 to Arthur Stanley Roe, five years before an Act of Parliament was passed to set up The University of Queensland.

The Queensland Rhodes Scholar selection committee will interview six short-listed candidates before choosing the one who will take up the scholarship at the University of Oxford in 2012.

The Queensland Rhodes Scholar will join five winners from the other States and three from Australia overall.

This year the selection committee received 27 applications for the Scholarship.

Media: Ingrid Rubie at UQ Communications (07 3365 2619, i.rubie@uq.edu.au)