• Recipients of the prestigious, inaugural Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor International Excellence Scholarship have been named
• The scholarship is valued at 50 per cent of the student’s tuition for the duration of their course
• This is the biggest scholarship the University offers for international students

Three international students will receive Charles Sturt University’s prestigious Vice-Chancellor International Excellence Scholarship, which is being awarded for the first time in 2024. This is also the biggest scholarship the University offers for international students.

The Vice-Chancellor International Excellence Scholarship recognises commencing students not only for their academic excellence but also for their community contributions and for demonstrating the Charles Sturt values of being inclusive, insightful, impactful and inspiring.

The scholarship is the largest awarded to international students studying a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Charles Sturt and is valued at 50 per cent of the student’s tuition fee for the duration of their course. 

Three awardees were selected from 10 shortlisted applicants from a total of 70 applications.

Namya Kumar from India and Elmeriz Vicaeli Bassig from the Philippines are studying a Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Paramedicine, respectively, in Port Macquarie. Gaurab Kandel from Nepal is studying a Bachelor of Nursing in Bathurst.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon said the University recognises the role international students play in Charles Sturt’s global contributions.

“This scholarship recognises academic excellence and celebrates the commitment of students to community engagement, which aligns with Charles Sturt University’s core values,” Professor Leon said.

“Supporting international students to pursue their higher education dreams strengthens our ties with international partners and enriches our regional campus communities.”

Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Mr Mike Ferguson welcomed students to Charles Sturt and said he looked forward to seeing the contributions they would make to the University and their communities.

“Charles Sturt University’s ethos is about creating a world worth living in and our scholarship recipients have directly contributed to this in their home countries,” he said.

“Namya, Elmeriz and Gaurab will be valued members of our student community and I look forward to welcoming them to Charles Sturt.”

The scholarship was open to students commencing in 2024 while studying on campus at Dubbo, Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange, Port Macquarie or Wagga Wagga.  

Applications for the 2025 Vice-Chancellor International Excellence Scholarship are expected to open in mid-2024.