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Welcome to the Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation website. Here you can learn more about the Foundation, the Scholarships, news on past and present Scholars, and how you can support the Foundation's work.
2016 Roberta Sykes Scholarship Recipients Announced
Left to right: Sarah Bourke, Samara Hand and Michael McCagh
The Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of three Roberta Sykes Scholarships, a scheme assisting Indigenous Australians to pursue postgraduate study at leading overseas universities. The three recipients are: ANU graduate Sarah Bourke, UNSW graduate Samara Hand, and University of Canberra graduate Michael McCagh. Sarah Bourke, a Djaru, Ongkomi and Gamilaroi woman, has been accepted into a DPhil in Anthropology at St John’s College, Oxford. Sarah graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours in Biological Anthropology) and a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) in 2013. She participated in the Aurora Indigenous Scholars International Study Tour in 2011 and 2012, and in 2013 received a John Monash Foundation and Roberta Sykes Scholarship to undertake a MPhil in Medical Anthropology at Keble College, Oxford, which she completed in 2015. Samara Hand, an Awabakal woman of Worimi and Biripi decent, has been accepted into a Masters in Understanding and Securing Human Rights at the University of London. Samara graduated from the University of NSW with a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Arts and is admitted to practice as a Solicitor. Samara was awarded the John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship from the Law Council of Australia and attended the Global Review Workshop on Youth and Global Citizenship Education in Moldova, 2016. She was also a participant on the Aurora Indigenous Scholars International Study Tour in 2015. Michael McCagh, a Yued man, has been accepted into the Master of Laws at the London School of Economics. Michael graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons)/Bachelor of Politics and International Relations. He has received a host of scholarships and awards, including the 2013 ACT Law Society Award; 2012 ACT DPP Award for Criminal Law; 2011 LexisNexis Award for Corporations Law; 2012 & 2013 Dean’s Excellence Award in all semesters; 2012 Palgrave Macmillan Award for Identity Politics and Public Policy; 2011, 2012 and 2013 Awards for highest achieving Indigenous law student. Michael participated in the Aurora Indigenous Scholars International Study Tour in 2013. Supporting Indigenous students for over 25 years, the Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation offers a number of students the opportunity to undertake postgraduate study at leading overseas universities each year. The scholarships are jointly funded by the Australian Government, the Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust, Cambridge Australia Scholarships Ltd, the University of Oxford, the University of Canberra, and Justice John Basten. Speaking about the scholarships, the Chair of the Roberta Sykes Foundation, Peter Waters said: “The Trustees are honoured to support these two exemplary Indigenous scholars in their studies at Cambridge and/or Oxford later this year. “Twenty years ago, Indigenous scholars were confined to a narrow range of disciplines. Today however, scholars are branching out across a variety of fields. “The Roberta Sykes Scholarships promote the vision of a better future in which Indigenous people can assume positive roles across a spectrum of career and leadership opportunities. “We acknowledge that it is largely due to the generosity of our donors that our recipients are able to realise their aspiration of overseas study. I sincerely wish to thank the Australian Government, the University of Oxford, the Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust, Cambridge Australia Scholarships, the University of Canberra, Justice John Basten and the many others who have made these outstanding awards possible.” The scholarships to Cambridge and Oxford cover all fees and living expenses, and are valued at over $70,000 for the period of one year. |
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Executive Education Bursaries for Indigenous women
The Foundation is also now partnering with Chief Executive Women to offer a bursary for Indigenous women to undertake a short executive program run by leading business school, INSEAD, at their Singapore campus. Leading for Results Program: The 5 day development program, from 27 Nov - 5 Dec, provides experienced managers with crucial skills for leading people in a global business environment (only managers with five or more years of experience will be considered). For more information, contact scholarships@auroraproject.com.au. To apply for a bursary to attend the Leading for Results program, please visit the CEW website. |
