Australia’s intellectual and creative talent will light up the global stage in 2024. The 16 exemplary John Monash Scholars announced today will expand their leadership and academic excellence, embarking on inspiring and nation-defining journeys.
They are named in honour of General Sir John Monash, a celebrated Australian with a passion for education, leadership and service. This is Australia’s homemade, unique and most prestigious national postgraduate Scholarship award. It enables outstanding Australian students to undertake postgraduate study at an overseas institution.
The Scholarships are supported by Australian companies, governments, universities and individuals, including; the Commonwealth Government, BHP, Rio Tinto, the Commonwealth Bank, John Roth and Jillian Segal AO, Tim Fairfax AC, Susan and John and Anna Belfer Trust, and Isaac Wakil Foundation.
Awarded through the General Sir John Monash Foundation, the Scholarships pursue a bold mission, to uplift the capabilities of Australia’s brightest individuals through global engagement and deep academic exploration. The program is a pillar of international education, an exemplar of what can be achieved through a carefully designed cluster of excellence.
Chairman of the General Sir John Monsh Foundation, Jillian Segal AO, said: “It is always so special to welcome the next cohort of outstanding scholars to the John Monash community.” In recognising the 16 scholars today, the Foundation and supporters continue a bold commitment to impact investment. The cultivated community has grown to 246 Australian scholars across 20 years.
John Monash Scholars are supported by the John Monash Foundation Leadership Academy. An initiative designed to provide lifelong career support and ongoing professional development, it ensures Scholars are best equipped to respond to the most important challenges facing Australia, harnessing and growing the knowledge gained for the benefit of the broader Australian community.
At the heart of international education is the generation, capture and sharing of new knowledge. This global ecosystem of magnificent minds brought together by the Foundation is an iconic contribution that will assist in addressing some of Australia’s, indeed the globe’s, intractable problems.
Chairman of the Foundation’s National Selection Panel, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, said: “The 2024 scholars were stand-out candidates in what was a first-rate field that featured applicants from all parts of Australia. Australian universities were well represented, with finalists coming from a mixture of capital-city and regional institutions.”
And exceptionally talented they are. Alumni from 11 Australian universities, representing 5 states and a territory will undertake PhD, Doctoral and Masters programs in a variety of fields such as medicine and health, the arts, engineering, business, the law, mathematics, science and Indigenous affairs. Among many pursuits, they will interrogate the use of artificial intelligence, uplift science diplomacy and impact maternal health in disadvantaged communities.
Spread across 10 globally iconic academic precincts, scholars will attend institutions including the University of Edinburgh, down to Oxford and Imperial College London, into Europe and the Hamburg Fine Arts School and across the Atlantic to Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and The Julliard School.
The Foundation’s CEO, Paul Ramadge, said: “It was a great privilege to be involved in the selection of the 2024 John Monash Scholars. It wasn’t easy. So many talented applicants from across the country came forward. What was really pleasing was the increased focus on cross-disciplinary academic pursuits, coupled with a strong awareness of the forces influencing everyday life. We are confident that the 2024 Scholars will return to Australia and deliver tangible impact in their fields.”
Building this cross-disciplinary community aligns with the spirit of General Sir John Monash who believed education is not given for individual benefit but for the higher duties of citizens who seek to advance society. It encourages, extends and integrates academic pursuits, aiming to foster the growth of leadership qualities and harness the collective talents of scholars. This is an outstanding commitment to building Australia’s future capability.
“The 2024 Scholars exemplify all that we set out to achieve with the John Monash program – academic excellence combined with wonderful leadership abilities. We are delighted to welcome them to our special community that has, as of today, 264 Scholars”, said Mr Ramadge.
Among the scholars are: a lawyer passionate about preventing domestic violence, a highly accomplished composer bringing music to the world; an entrepreneur advancing the capabilities of neurotechnology; doctors coding and using data analytics to support clinical decisions for vulnerable patients and an applied mathematician advancing mathematical literacy through science communication.
Emma Beal is the Dame Quentin Bryce John Monash Scholar and will undertake a Master of Data Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is committed to influencing what she calls Australia’s “energy trilemma” – creating reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity.
“I believe that the power of data analytics is currently underutilised in its ability to integrate the low-carbon energy solutions required by the grid of the future. I want to influence and enhance the environmental, economic and social outcomes of the domestic energy transition”, said Emma. Playing an integral role in Boston Consulting Group’s Climate & Sustainability practice, advising on emissions strategies in Australia and New Zealand, Emma holds a Bachelor of Finance and Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Queensland where she was awarded the University Medal.
Australia’s share price shot up today. Our social and cultural capital is in safe hands.
Profiles of the 2024 Scholars are available here
A list of the Foundations Scholar community is here
