Bursary helps Logan teens at university

UPDATE: Applications for the 2025 City of Logan Tertiary Education Bursary are now open. Applications close 23 December 2024.

When it came to choosing between a career involving the far reaches of space or searching for cures to diseases, Karen Waters had a little help taking the stress off.

At age 17, Mabel Park State High School graduate Karen Waters was tossing up between studying astrophysics or biotechnology at university – both being expensive pursuits.

‘I love space and was going to go into astrophysics, but I took one class in high school for biotechnology and my teacher was so amazing that it made me love biology more than physics, so I am heading towards biomedical engineering,’ Karen says.

With her chosen degree costing more than $20,000, any financial help was welcome alongside the income from her casual job on a teenager’s wage, so she applied for the City of Logan Tertiary Education Bursary.

Karen, of Springwood, was among 11 local students who were successful in their applications for the 2024 grant program, which provides financial support to local Year 12 graduates to offset the costs of further studies.

Recipients receive $5000 over three years through the bursaries, which are sponsored by Logan City Council and businesses from across South East Queensland. Karen is very thankful for the financial help, and grateful to local bursary sponsor, Alford Plumbing and Gas.

Photo above: The 2024 winners of the City of Logan Tertiary Education Bursary, including Karen Waters, standing first on the left. For the full list of recipients, see below at the end of the article.

Now age 18 and having just finished her first year of a three-year Bachelor of Biotechnology at University of Queensland (UQ), Karen is encouraging other Year 12 school leavers to follow in her footsteps and apply for the assistance.

‘I’ve been in Logan my whole life and sometimes people forget to look at the local stuff happening, so I would encourage students 100 per cent to have a look at the grant and apply,’ Karen says.

She says being involved in her school community as a STEM ambassador and school festival organiser was helpful for her confidence to apply for the grant, which takes into account academic and financial details.

‘It is also great because during the 3 years, they check each semester to make sure you are on track which helps keep you motivated,’ she says.

Karen has plenty of passion to keep her momentum going for the years of study ahead, with dreams to one day consider a Masters degree.

‘I am interested in a research pathway, and can look at further degrees to specialise,’ Karen says.

‘I’m thinking about the pathway towards developing things like vaccines, genetic engineering … helping with diseases on a permanent level.’

The bursary has allowed Karen a little more time to also enjoy university life and socialise at UQ’s St Lucia campus, including joining student clubs such as the Women and Science Association, Biotechnology Society, Science Society, Chemistry Club, and even a group called K Nation, which is dedicated to the fun of the ‘K pop’ musical subculture originating from South Korea.

‘I have tried to involve myself in as much as I can, and have made so many friends,’ Karen says.

Above: Karen Waters enjoying her first year at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus.

Applications for the 2025 City of Logan Tertiary Education Bursary are now open. Applications close 23 December 2024.

Students from families with limited financial resources are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility criteria includes being a resident of the City of Logan, and planning to undertake full-time undergraduate tertiary studies in 2025.

For the full criteria and details on how to apply online, visit Tertiary Education Bursaries – Logan City Council.

The 2024 recipients are:

• Max Williams from Regents Park, Bachelor of Engineering (sponsored by Doval Constructions)
• Sacre Musabwa from Woodridge, Bachelor of Biomedical Science (sponsored by Star Carpentry)
• Carl McGill from Kingston, Bachelor of Computer Science (sponsored by EDSS)
• Kiara Dunlop from Tanah Merah, Bachelor of Health Sport and PE (sponsored by Aligned Management)
• Ruby Lee from Greenbank, Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of IT (sponsored by T2 Electrical)
• Karen Waters from Springwood, Bachelor of Biotechnology (sponsored by Alford Plumbing)
• Ramneek Randhawa from Holmview, Bachelor of Physiotherapy (sponsored by SABE Services)
• Mubarika Urooj from Crestmead, Bachelor of Commerce (sponsored by Logan City Council)
• Eli Ashdown from Loganholme, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Mathematics (sponsored by CMBM)
• Amber Davidson from Glenlogan, Bachelor of Laws (sponsored by Logan City Council)

Photo at top: Springwood teenager Karen Waters enjoying her new life on campus at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.