Minister Chris Bowen meets UWS students

Minister Bowen visits UWS 

(L-R) Faris Al Faily, Minister Chris Bowen, Adrien Kamal, Sonyia Juarez and Bou Ovington 

 

Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Chris Bowen, recently toured the University of Western Sydney's Penrith campus where he met with an enthusiastic group of UWS students:

  • Faris Al Faily, Bachelor of Engineering Science

Faris Al Faily is an Iraqi refugee, who fled from Baghdad in 2004 and settled in Australia in 2007. After arriving in Australia, Faris spent almost a year at an intensive language school in Sydney before entering the Australian school system. The former Punchbowl Boys High School student studied hard – often staying back after school, and taking weekend classes – to catch up to his peers. After such a set-back, Faris did not expect that his HSC marks still would be sufficient to enter University, so he was looking forward to accepting an early offer to study a UWSCollege diploma and take another pathway into University. However, in the Main Round of University offers, Faris was excited to receive another offer from UWS – to study his chosen degree, a Bachelor of Engineering Science at the UWS Penrith campus. Faris will be beginning his studies at UWS in Autumn 2013. 

  • Robert Barrie, Bachelor of Business and Commerce/ Bachelor of Laws
Robert Barrie is beginning the second year of a Bachelor of Business and Commerce/ Bachelor of Laws at the UWS Campbelltown campus. Robert is a scholarship recipient and a member of the University’s Aspire leadership program. He is also President of the Debating Society and a member of the organising task force for the YMCA Youth Parliament. He was recently invited to attend the Presidential Inaugural Conference in the United States, coinciding with the second inauguration of US President Barack Obama. Robert studied at Thomas Reddall High School and is the first person in his family to attend university.
  • Sonyia Juarez, Bachelor of Medical Science (Advanced)
Sonyia Juarez is beginning the first year of a Bachelor of Medical Science (Advanced) degree at the UWS Campbelltown campus in 2013. The former Terra Sancta College student is the recipient of a Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship and is a member of the Aspire leadership program.
  • Kelvin Tran, Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Kelvin Tran aspires to become a medical doctor. He initially accepted an offer to study the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Science) degree at UWS, and has now transferred into the Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at the Campbelltown campus. Kelvin is an Academic Excellence Scholarship recipient and a member of the University’s Aspire leadership program. Kelvin is the first in his family to attend university. He grew up in the Cabramatta/ St Andrews area and graduated from Hurlstone Agricultural High School in 2011.
  • Keira Galbraith, Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)
Keira Galbraith is beginning the third year of a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) degree at the UWS Penrith campus with the aim of becoming a graphic designer. Keira is a former student of Chifley College in Bidwill and transitioned to University through the Fast Forward program. Keira is the first in her family to study at University.
  • Adrien Kamal, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (BBC)
Adrien Kamal is a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (BBC) student at the UWS Campbelltown campus, he also has a number of roles at the University where he assists other students succeed in their studies. Adrien works in an administrative role within the School of Business; is a facilitator and mentor in the PASS Program; and has recently taken on a new role as an academic note-taker, assisting students with disabilities. Due to the many roles that Adrien has taken on within the UWS community, he has elected to only study himself part-time. He is due to complete his undergraduate degree in two years, at which time he is hoping to continue his studies in the Honours program.
  • Jason Johnston, Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced)
Jason Johnston is beginning the first year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Advanced) degree at the UWS Penrith campus. He is also a member of the Aspire leadership program, and an Academic Excellence Scholarship recipient. Jason will be the first person in his family to attain a university qualification.
  • Bou Ovington, Bachelor of Psychology
Bou Ovington is beginning the second year of the Bachelor of Psychology degree at the UWS Bankstown campus. Bou initially considered doing a course in construction at the local TAFE when he finished school, however his success in the University's first Indigenous School Student Mentoring Program (ISSMP) in 2009 led him to aspire to university. On the basis of his school academic results and principal’s recommendation, along with his high level of engagement in the ISSMP, Bou was made an early admission offer to UWS. Gaining a high ATAR, Bou is now the recipient of an Indigenous Achievement Scholarship.
  • Bianca Matthews, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (BBC)
Bianca Matthews began her studies at UWSCollege, in the Diploma of Business & Commerce program, before transitioning into the University’s Bachelor of Business and Commerce (BBC) degree. Bianca currently works in the family business which specialises in transport logistics. She hopes that this experience, as well as the skills acquired in her Business degree, will lead to a successful career in organising large-scale festivals, concerts and conferences.

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