December 15, 2017

Region’s top HSC performers welcomed to UOW

Vice-Chancellor hosts reception for best and brightest. 

University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, together with senior academic staff, welcomed up to 150 top HSC performers for a scholarship reception at UOW’s Innovation Campus today (Friday 15 December).

The event is held on the same day ATARs are released and gives the Vice-Chancellor the opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of the elite group of students.

“These students have shown commitment and dedication to their studies over the past few years and put in a tremendous effort in their HSC,” Professor Wellings said.

“This kind of commitment is precisely what we want to see at our university and I am honoured to invite these students and congratulate them in person for what they have achieved.”

The top 150 students from the Illawarra, Southern Sydney, South Western and Western Sydney, Southern Highlands, ACT and South Coast regions were offered a $5,000 scholarship package if they enrol at UOW in 2018.

Professor Wellings spoke to students about the raft of opportunities on offer at UOW, including the Deans Scholar initiative and advanced programs available to high achieving students.

David Barnott-Clement, one of last year’s top 150 high achievers, has recently completed the first year of a double degree in Communication and Media Studies (Journalism) and Science (Physical Geography and Environmental Geosciences) and spoke to the audience of school leavers about his experience in his first year at UOW.

“I really like the feel of the uni [UOW]. It’s relaxed and slightly informal while also academically rigorous. You can really achieve here, but it’s not just about going into a dark room and sitting down in front of a book,” David said.

His advice to today’s school leavers was simple:

“Follow what you love, not what you think you need to do. Relax, university is about so much more than just achieving or getting really good marks,” he said.

“Be prepared to be challenged at some points, learn to be flexible and have fun.”

Academic and student admission staff were also on hand to provide advice and assistance to high school leavers.