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Varsity teen to study human brain at Bond University by Nicole Marino 20 December 2013
V
arsity Lakes local Oscar Davis (pictured) hopes to one day figure out how the criminal mind works, but his first stop is a psychology and criminology degree from Bond University. Thanks to Bond’s Indigenous studies program, Oscar has been awarded a Bond University Indigenous Pathways Scholarship for 2014. Oscar said he was keen to study medicine for a while, but over time his interest in the human body transformed to an interest in the human brain and how it works. “I’m hoping my studies will lead me into forensic psychology and then one day back to Bond as a lecturer,” he said. “I’d love to come back and share my real world experience with students like myself.” Oscar, who’s Mum is the Indigenous Coordinator at Varsity Lakes College, said he is looking forward to joining Bond University next year. “I did a guest program with another university during my senior years where I was able to experience university life first hand,” he said. “The classes and lectures were largely populated and it was the smaller class sizes that originally attracted me to Bond. “I attended Bond’s Open Day earlier this year which allowed me to chat with some of the existing
students and Doctors at the University about life at Bond and the opportunities it offers. “I was also relatively surprised at how many programs Bond has in place to help students ease into Uni life.” In addition to the Nyombile Centre, which helps students feel welcome by connecting them to the local Indigenous elders and community, Bond University has more than 100 student volunteers involved in the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) program, the Bond Indigenous Awareness Society (BIAS), Kununurra Youth Program and Career Trackers Indigenous Internship Program. The Year 12 Varsity Lakes College vice captain who grew up on the Gold Coast is the second eldest in the family, which includes three brothers and one sister. Obviously criminology runs in the Davis family, as Oscar’s older
brother has just graduated as a Queensland Police Officer. Oscar is one of eight students to be awarded scholarships to Bond University next year through its Indigenous support programs. The scholarships were announced following the successful Indigenous Gala Event last month which saw more than $175,000 raised to help fund the programs. Around 350 people attended the event, including special VIP guest and new Bond student Scott Prince and event patron Dr Patrick Corrigan AM. Corporate sponsors included Accor, Indigenous Land Corporation, Sunland Foundation, ISS Facility Services, Former Origin Greats, Newell Consulting Engineers, Pindara Private Hospital, Hickey Lawyers, Technology One and and ANZ Bank. Two more scholarship recipient profiles will be featured over the next week.
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