KUCHING – A diploma graduate’s dream of studying at an Australian university came true when she was awarded a scholarship to pursue an undergraduate program at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, recently.
Nastassia binti Affendi, 24, was awarded the scholarship under the Australia-Malaysia “Towards 2020” Scholarship Program and will begin her three-year bachelor of commerce with a major in management, at the university this month.
Degree courses at the campus starts on 24 February.
“It’s a dream come true for me to be able to study here. I’m really grateful for the award as it will help to cover the costs of my studies,” said Nastassia who plans to pursue a career in academia.
“I chose Swinburne (Sarawak) because of its multicultural environment. There are more international students here. As English is the medium of instruction it will help me to improve on the language.”
The former SMK St Teresa student had completed a diploma in office management and technology at Universiti Teknologi Mara Samarahan, a public institution of higher learning, in November last year.
Nastassia was one of only two applicants to be awarded an undergraduate scholarship under the “Towards 2020” Scholarship Program. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop presented the awards during her recent visit to Kuala Lumpur.
The award covers the tuition fee of Nastassia’s three-year course, a one-off allowance to help with setting up her residential and study environment, and monthly living expenses.
She plans to undertake one year of study at Swinburne Sarawak’s home campus in Melbourne. Travel expenses to and from Australia, a one-off establishment allowance, monthly stipend and insurance costs are covered by the award.
The “Towards 2020” Scholarship Program is designed to support Malaysia’s economic reform agenda, by assisting Malaysian undergraduates to study at Australian universities located in Malaysia.
Swinburne Sarawak is the only international branch campus of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.