UWS ambassadors attend international symposium on humanitarian affairs

Seven exceptional students from the University of Western Sydney’s Advanced Business Leadership and Aspire Future Leaders Programs attended the third University Scholars Leadership Symposium\ ‘Making Dreams Happen’ in Bali and experienced first-hand the difficulties faced by those in poor, developing nations.

Taylor Macdonald, who travelled overseas for the first time to attend the symposium, says she was inspired by the presenter, Ibu (mother) Robin Lim.

“She was a very inspirational woman and I admire her for the work she is doing with her charity, the Bumi Sehat Foundation, which provides free birthing facilities for the women of Indonesia. Her perspectives on life and family were very unique and she has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking,” says Taylor.

Similarly, Stevan Ilic, Edward Popa and Thomas Pearson were moved by the presentation from Geraldine Cox AM, who is the president and operator of the Sunrise Children's Village orphanage in the province of Kandal, in Cambodia.

“A highlight of the trip was an amazing, eye-opening presentation by Geraldine Cox on the harsh realities Balinese people are faced with every day,” says Stevan.

Over the course of six days, the students were able to meet other delegates from universities around the world and make new friendships, experience Balinese culture, spend time with disadvantaged Balinese children and get involved in discussions on humanitarian issues.

The students who attended the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Bali were:

• Taylor MacDonald, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership)/Bachelor of Laws;
• Edward Popa, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership)/Bachelor of Laws;
• Stevan Ilic, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership);
• Natalie Jarrah, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership)/Bachelor of Laws;
• Eilish Bailey, Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership)/Bachelor of Laws;
• Ben Dessen, Bachelor of Natural Science, Aspire Future Leader Program; and
• Thomas Pearson, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Aspire Future Leader Program.

The Advanced Business Leadership degree is exclusively for high-achieving students, and is aimed at transforming today’s brightest business minds into tomorrow’s business leaders.

Aspire is a unique professional development and personal enrichment program that has been specifically designed by UWS to cultivate and enhance the leadership qualities of students.

Ends

16 October 2012

Contact: Kristy Gleeson, Media Officer