November 10, 2016

Adam Gilchrist announces Bradman Scholarship to Indian all-rounder

Cricket legend Adam Gilchrist AM has today (Thursday 10 November) announced the recipient of the 2017 Bradman Foundation Scholarship during a visit to Mumbai, India. 

This year’s recipient, Vigneshwaran Subramani, has a passion for cricket and the hard sciences, and is studying a Master of Engineering, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, at the University of Wollongong (UOW). Described by a former coach as a focused and determined cricketer with a healthy perspective and a cheerful demeanour, Vigneshwaran is a keen all-rounder who commenced his studies at UOW in mid-2016.

Vigneshwaran said the financial support offered through the scholarship would help him achieve his dream of developing a new product.

"This scholarship encourages me to concentrate on my studies as well as work on my research side," he said.

"I’m presently doing research in the medical equipment field and working on designing a product that will be useful to society. Cricket and studies are both big parts of my life and it is an honour to receive this scholarship in front of famous cricketer Adam Gilchrist.”

 The UOW Bradman Foundation Scholarship is offered to one undergraduate or postgraduate student from India each year. The scholarship is open to both males and females and is granted for the duration of the recipient’s study program, granting a 50 per cent waiver of tuition fees for the duration of the degree.

Adam Gilchrist AM, who is currently on an annual visit to India in his role as UOW Brand Ambassador, said it was an honour to be involved in such a worthy initiative. He was joined by UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE.

“Sir Donald Bradman left an enduring legacy to the game of cricket with his incredible achievements, and Indian cricket fans understand that as well as anyone," he said.

Sir Donald, through the establishment of the Foundation that bears his name, also had a vision that through education and the advancement of youth, cricket could be strengthened and advanced.

The University of Wollongong Bradman Foundation Scholarship was established to provide that opportunity for educational advancement of a young Indian person, and I am extremely proud to be involved."

Professor Paul Wellings, CBE, mentioned that the decision to grant Vigneshwaran the scholarship was based on a number of key ideals and characteristics he possessed.

“We set out to find an all-rounder, someone who has a blend of academic, personal and social skills as well as a high level of cricket skills," Professor Wellings said.

"The selection panel felt that Vigneshwaran’s character reflected the ideals of the great Sir Donald Bradman,”

The scholarship is part of a wider partnership agreement between UOW and the Bradman Foundation to educate, inspire and develop young people. Now in its fourth year, the international scholarship encourages young Indian students to further their education at UOW while indulging their passion for cricket.

Bradman Foundation Executive Director Rina Hore said the Foundation was delighted to welcome as the Vigneshwaran as the 2017 scholarship recipient.

“The Bradman Foundation was established to promote cricket as a valuable cultural and social force in the community, and this scholarship fulfils that objective,” Ms Hore said.

For further information on the UOW Bradman Foundation Scholarship, visit:
http://www.uow.edu.au/future/international/apply/scholarships/UOW135799.html

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG: UOW is one of Australia’s leading universities, recognised in the top two per cent of the world’s universities in the two main rankings (QS and The Times Higher Education). Its main campus and its Innovation Campus research and development precinct are located in the coastal city of Wollongong, one hour south of Sydney in the State of New South Wales. Visit www.uow.edu.au for more details.

ABOUT THE BRADMAN FOUNDATION: The Bradman Foundation is based in Bowral, in New South Wales, Australia. It owns and operates the Bradman Museum and International Cricket Hall of Fame and manages Bradman Oval where the young Don Bradman first learned to play the game. The Bradman Foundation, a non-profit charitable trust, was established in 1987 with the full support of Sir Donald Bradman AC to promote cricket as a valuable cultural and sporting force within the community. Visit www.bradman.com.au for more details.