2015 scholarships for seven Logan students

Griffith commerce student, Mohammad Atahee, will officially receive his Bendigo Bank Scholarship at South Bank on Wednesday night.
Commerce student, Mohammad Atahee, will officially receive his Bendigo Bank Scholarship at South Bank on Wednesday night.

Mohammad Atahee, a native of Afghanistan, is the recipient of the 2015 Griffith University Bendigo Bank Scholarship.

The Bachelor of Commerce student is among four Australians, two from Afghanistan and one from Burundi, who will receivethe Logan scholarshipstonight (Wednesday) which are awarded exclusively to students at Griffith Logan campus who have lived and attended high school in the region.

“I have a dream to be an accountant and financial planner,” Mohammad said. “I really enjoy working with numbers and it is my ambition is to work in a bank.

“I am a full-time student living independently and need to support myself financially. The scholarship I received is highly helpful for my textbooks and other necessaries for studying at the university.

Mohammad said he applied for the Bendigo Bank Scholarship in the belief it could help him succeed at university and achieve his study goals.

Mohammad came from Afghanistan to Australia by boat in 2010, and he secured permanent residency in April 2011. He went to Woodridge State High School and he successfully graduated last year with six OP subjects.

“A big thank you to all the staff at Woodridge State High who helped me during my time there,” Mohammad said. “I have lived in Logan for four years now and to me Logan is the best place to live because it is such a multicultural place.

“My life has changed in so many ways since I’ve come here. I’ve learnt a new language and a new culture, and made lots of friends.”

Mohammed describes his first days and weeks at university as challenging. “But now I am used to it. I love Griffith University and I am very grateful for this opportunity. The environment is great, there is easy access to computers, the classes are great, and the staff is friendly.”

LesleywebThe scholarship will be officially presented at Griffith’s Academic Awards Presentation Ceremony at the Queensland Conservatorium tonight(May 12).

The exclusive Logan scholarships will be awarded in association with community partners Bendigo Bank, Turner Freeman Lawyers and YFS, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers a range of services in the Logan region.

Sonya Farrugia, a social work student, is the recipient of the Turner Freeman Scholarship.

Two business students and two health students are the inaugural recipients of the YFS Scholarships — Deborah Brownsey (Bachelor of Commerce), Denis Oyoo (Bachelor of Business), Hassan Karim (Bachelor of Social Work) and Raizah Stephen (Bachelor of Social Work).

Marie-Rose Ishimwe, a native of Burundi, will be presented with the Lesley Chenoweth Scholarship. Marie-Rose is studying a double degree in human services and criminology and criminal justice.

“We are very pleased to have been able to offer these scholarships through the generosity of our partners, Bendigo Bank, Turner Freeman Lawyers and new in 2015, YFS,” Professor Lesley Chenoweth, Head of Logan campus, said.

“The scholarships demonstrate our ongoing support for students at Griffith’s Logan campus.

“Support is a key part of any student’s university journey. It allows students to pursue their dreams with confidence and energy and without undue stress about finances.”