Scholarships honour next generation of local Western Sydney nurses

A new scholarship program at Western Sydney University's internationally acclaimed School of Nursing and Midwifery is recognising local students for their community spirit and academic accomplishments. 

Ranked in the Top 50 worldwide in the 2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject, Western Sydney University's School of Nursing and Midwifery has awarded first-year students Ms Cathy Diep and Ms Mercy Dorai scholarships of $9000 each, funded by Baxter Healthcare. 

Baxter Healthcare has been a part of the local community in western Sydney for more than 50 years, delivering essential hospital and renal products that support nurses, doctors and their patients. 

The Dean of Nursing and Midwifery, Associate Professor Deborah Hatcher, says the scholarships will educate talented young students who may otherwise be lost to the health system. 

"Western Sydney University and Baxter Healthcare are deeply committed to improving the health of Western Sydney residents, and that means nurturing the next generation of nurses who will one day work in the region," she says. 

"For some promising young students looking to become a nurse, chasing their dreams and enrolling in University is simply not possible, because of severe financial hardship or other commitments." 

General Manager Baxter ANZ, Steven Flynn, said says the scholarships recognised the commitment the students had shown to their studies and their community. 

"Baxter is proud to support the education and training of nurses who share with us a mission to save and sustain lives," he says. 

"As a local manufacturer of more than 50 years, we are delighted to partner with the University of Western Sydney University and its world-class nursing program."

Scholarship recipient Ms Mercy Dorai says the support of Western Sydney University and the scholarship from Baxter have changed her life. 

"Becoming a carer for one of our children, together with family commitments and not having worked in a while, made coming back to university as a mature age student a 'not-so-easy' decision to make," she says.

"If it weren't for scholarships such as these it would not be possible for mature age students like me to achieve our dreams."

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3 November 2016

Mark Smith, Senior Media Officer