Supporting Education

The Matthew Flinders Scholarship was established with contributions from President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling and from each member of the senior executive team – underpinning the University’s core ethos of being student centred.

The new scholarship was designed to enable students to navigate difficult times, to ensure they could complete their university studies.

‘Flinders University has always been a champion of social justice. If this means anything, it is that those with the ability to succeed through education should be given the opportunity to do so,' says Vice-Chancellor Professor Stirling.

Awareness of the number of students facing hardship gained momentum and a ground-swell of support for the Matthew Flinders Scholarship came from across the University community, including many alumni, staff and friends.

So far, the scholarship has supported more than 1,900 domestic and international students at Flinders who were struggling to pay for food, rent and bills.

The generosity of support has also shown the students that the Flinders community cares about them and their wellbeing – a comfort that has created a renewed motivation for students to focus on their studies and achieve their best.

‘I have been amazed that Flinders has provided such fantastic support to students,’ says Olivia. ‘It has made a world of difference to me and it’s been great to feel the support of the whole community at Flinders.’