Ms Jaspreet Kaur, a recipient of the 2015 Australian Imperial Forces’ (AIF) Malaya Nursing Scholarship, will soon complete her Nursing degree from Curtin University, and return to Malaysia to continue working as a qualified nurse within her community.
The prestigious AIF Malaya Nursing Scholarship is the official war memorial to the 8th Division of the Australian Army, which was formed to serve in World War II as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, and the AIF Malaya.
The Scholarship recognises the help and friendship that was given to the Australian prisoners of war during their captivity by members of the local Malayan and Singaporean community.
Ms Kaur, whose parents, fiancé, sister and three brothers are in Malaysia, is the first Malaysian recipient of the scholarship in four years. She said the educational experience has enabled her to pursue her dream.
“My mum wanted to be a nurse when she was younger but her financial situation prevented her from realising her dream. She encouraged both of her daughters to pursue nursing and I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to make her proud,” said Ms Kaur.
“Being a student at Curtin has exposed me to modern education, excellent teaching staff and a diverse student body, which I admit meant I was a little out of my comfort zone initially,” Ms Kaur said.
“This experience, however, has seen me meet new people and advance my nursing skills, helped to expand my perspective of what I can accomplish and now I cannot wait to go back to Malaysia to share my experiences and make positive changes within the nursing industry.”
In her degree, Ms Kaur specialised in Advanced Wound Care to help minimise patient suffering and reduce the chance of life-threatening complications occurring.
Professor Phill Della Head of Nursing and Midwifery said Jaspreet had made the most of the opportunity provided to her and he wished her well with her future endeavours.
Ms Jaspreet Kaur is the 66th recipient of the Scholarship and the 34thstudent Curtin has supported.
Ms Kaur’s achievements will be recognised in a special celebration at Curtin University’s Bentley campus upon graduation in 2015.
Curtin’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine has offered the AIF Malaya Nursing Scholarship since 1988. The scholarship fully funds successful candidates so that they can complete the one-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) conversion degree at Curtin on a full-time basis.
