Indigenous student off to explore world’s most prestigious universities
A University of Newcastle (UON) Masters alumnus is off to explore the world's most prestigious higher education institutions under the Aurora Project Indigenous Scholarship project.
David Meharg, a descendent of the Bigambul people of Queensland was raised on Wiradjuri country in Wellington and Orange in NSW.
David will be the fifth UON student who will have participated in the Aurora Indigenous Scholars International Study Tour, three of these have subsequently been accepted to attend an international ivy league university through the Charlie Perkins and Roberta Sykes Scholarships.
Inspired by a video of a student who'd experienced the Aurora Study Tour, David applied for and was accepted for a scholarship to travel overseas and experience the world's most prestigious higher education institutions.
"I'm really looking forward to being exposed to academic thinkers and leaders in public healthcare and public policy," David said.
David flies overseas on Saturday 24 October to visit leading universities in the US and the UK.
As manager of Orange Primary and Community Health at the Orange Hospital, David also supports local Indigenous school and university students as a tutor with the Indigenous Tutoring Assistance Scheme.
David graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Community and Public Health) from Charles Sturt University in 2006, receiving two Dean's awards and enrolment in the Golden Key International Honour Society for academic excellence.
In 2013 David completed a Master of Public Health with Distinction from the University of Newcastle as part of the NSW Health Aboriginal Population Health Training Initiative.
Looking to further his education, David is now interested in studying a Master of Business Administration and considering PhD programs in management and public health with a focus on Aboriginal health workforce and qualitative research.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.