Engineering the future

Sana’s kicking goals at RMIT University, studying a manufacturing and mechatronics engineering degree. In her spare time, she volunteers at a Red Cross retail store.

“As a recipient of multiple scholarships, I know how important it is to give back to the community to keep the cycle of kindness flowing.”

Sana has taken up a number of Western Chances’ Links opportunities including the Trinity College Young Leaders Program, where she met many international students. She also valued time spent with her tutor Angelo from Links partner The Institute for Enquiring Minds. These weekly sessions learning math concepts quickly became the highlights of Sana’s week:

“The excitement and joy Angelo and I would feel after correctly answering practice exam questions was unmatchable. A large portion of the maths I learnt with Angelo I now apply in my engineering studies. It’s been extremely useful.”

This motivation and love for learning has carried over to Sana’s tertiary studies:

“I have grown to love being able to learn on my own pace… What drives me now is wanting to be the best version of myself and ensuring I embrace every opportunity – whether it be joining clubs, becoming known to my lecturers, maintaining connections with my network, joining the programs RMIT has to build on different skills, and most importantly any opportunities Western Chances offers.”

Sana is grateful for the independence a Western Chances scholarship has provided.

“I became a Western Chances scholarship recipient in Year 9. Since then I have not had to rely on my parents to fund the basics for my education. Coming from a family with four children who were once all in high school all at the same time, knowing that my parents had to pay for one fewer child made me proud of my achievements that led to me being nominated for the scholarship.”

“My big dream for the future is simple: become completely independent, continue to excel at STEM, inspire young girls to pursue STEM and most importantly continue to give back to the community.”

“I hope to become a Western Chances donor once I have graduated and am in a financially stable position, so I can support talented and motivated young people living in Melbourne’s west. For now, I will continue to study hard until graduation and smash those smaller goals that will eventually get me in that position to be able to achieve my big dream in the future.”