Romina Fujii Torres Strait Health Development Scholarship

The Romina Fujii Torres Strait Health Development Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• are an Australian citizen; and
• are of Torres Strait Islander or Northern Peninsula Area Heritage; and
• are enrolled either full time or part time in Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] at James Cook University; and
• are enrolled at the Cairns or Townsville campus.

The value of the scholarship is $10,000. Payment will be made in 2 equal instalments of $5,000 after each census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2.

Prior to completing an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules below.
Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents to their application form:

• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  • Past experience in health-related activities
  • The focus of research you are interested in pursuing through these studies
  • Any prior experience in conducting or participating in health-related research (note: it is not expected that candidates will have previous research experience)
• A statutory declaration or authorised statement confirming Torres Strait Islander or Northern Peninsula area Heritage.
• Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents (including a completed application form) and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

This scholarship has been setup in memory of respected elder, Romina Fujii, a strong, but softly spoken Torres Strait Islander woman, who led by putting others first, and devoted her life to the health and wellbeing of her people. Romina Fujii served the community and engaged in advocacy at the highest level across a range of spheres including education, women’s rights, heritage preservation and health, enabling her to build bridges between communities, cultures and generations to nurture a positive vision for the future of the Torres Strait. Read more about Romina’s life and work.

The scholarship will assist Torres Strait or Northern Peninsula Area students who enrol in the JCU Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Research Methods [Tropical Health and Medicine] with the costs associated with their health research education.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship is $10,000. Payment will be made in 2 equal instalments of $5,000 after each census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2.

Eligibility Criteria

The Romina Fujii Torres Strait Health Development Scholarship will be open to competition among candidates who:

• are Australian citizens; and
• are of Torres Strait Islander or Northern Peninsula area Heritage; and
• are enrolled either full time or part time in Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Research Methods (Tropical Health and Medicine) at James Cook University; and
• are enrolled at the Cairns or Townsville campus

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• the character of the candidate for the award; and
• prior experience of the applicant in health-related activities and, to a lesser extent, research.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official online application form and be received no later than the advertised close date. Applicants must submit with the official form:

• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  • Past experience in health-related activities
  • The focus of research you are interested in pursuing through these studies
  • Any prior experience in conducting or participating in health-related research (note: it is not expected that candidates will have previous research experience)
• A statutory declaration or authorised statement confirming Torres Strait Islander or Northern Peninsula area Heritage.
• Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents (including a completed application form) and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship will be made at the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head of operations, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine (Chair), or nominee
• Manager, Division of Tropical Health & Medicine, or nominee; and
• Director, AITHM; and
• Director, Academic Quality & Strategy; and
• Other members as suggested by Chair.

The Selection Committee reserves the right not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award.

The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Ongoing eligibility

• The recipient must maintain a course GPA of 4.0 or above.
• The recipient must be enrolled.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient may be eligible for the award in later years, a statement of reasons will be required and deferment will be at the discretion of the selection panel.
• If the holder of an award takes an official leave of absence, the recipient may be eligible for the award in later years, a statement of reasons will be required and deferment will be at the discretion of the selection panel..
• If the holder of the an award fails to meet all the ongoing eligibility requirements the award will be terminated.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the scholarships office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The selection committee will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates;

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by Scholarships Office.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.