All scholarships now in full flight

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation recently launched its final scholarship program. That means all five scholarships and fellowships are now actively identifying Australia's best and brightest, to provide the support they need to help shape Australia's future.

Last year, Westpac Group launched the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation to create the single largest private education scholarship program in Australia's history. 

 

Created as a gift to Australia to mark Westpac Group's bicentenary in 2017, a one-off contribution of $100 million will fund 100 new scholarships every year, forever, to individuals from all walks of life with the potential to shape Australia's future.

 

Since launch, Westpac has worked in close collaboration with Australia's major universities and eminent Australian leaders to establish the five scholarship programs. 

 

Westpac Bicentennial Foundation CEO Susan Bannigan said unveiling the final scholarship program was a significant milestone.

 

"With our five scholarship programs now active, the sense of excitement about the potential for this program is tremendous," Susan said.

 

"We've already selected our first round of Young Technologist scholars earlier this year, a great cohort of undergraduates who are keen to become the tech innovators of the future.  We've also seen off the first of our Asian Exchange scholars who are currently adding a whole new dimension to their classroom learning by spending a semester at a leading Asian university.

 

"We're now in the process of finding and selecting our Future Leaders Scholars, Research Fellows and Social Change Fellows. 

 

"The calibre of individuals attracted to the scholarships has been truly exceptional and wide-ranging. I'm confident that we'll be backing the people who will drive the ground-breaking research, who have the brilliant ideas for social change, and the potential to play important roles in Australia's future growth and prosperity," she said. 

 

Susan added that the financial support offered by the scholarship program was just the beginning.

 

"Money can help launch a vision but it takes a network of inspired and inspiring people to sustain it," she said.

 

"That's why every scholarship recipient across our five categories will be invited to join the Westpac Scholars Alumni program. Offering more than just membership of a network, it's an incredible platform for our scholars to surround themselves with a diverse group of other inspiring leaders.

 

"I'm excited to contemplate the powerful potential of this group of brilliant minds, which will grow in size by 100 each year, who we will support to stay connected and creative well into the future," Susan said.

 

 

 

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