Gates Cambridge Scholarship awarded to alumna
Alumna Kathryn Crowcroft
Monash University alumna Kathryn Crowcroft has been awarded the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
Ms Crowcroft, who completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in english and psychology in 2009, is the first Monash student to win the prestigious international scholarship. She was one of 90 scholarship recipients, outshining more than 8000 applicants from around the world.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a full-cost award that covers the tuition fees for students to complete postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. Recipients also receive a maintenance allowance during their stay.
Ms Crowcroft, who has already completed a Masters in Shakespeare Studies at King’s College in London, is planning to pursue a Master of Philosophy in Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge.
Her work will explore the unexamined links between the Medieval and Renaissance periods, with a focus on Geoffrey Chaucer's reception in early modern texts.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker said Monash was incredibly proud of its graduates and applauded their continued success.
"I extend my very best wishes to Kathryn for this, the next exciting phase of her academic career. Kathryn's international aspirations are a wonderful example to our current cohort of students. It encourages them to embrace the international—and literary—opportunities presented to them via the Monash Passport during their time at the University and beyond," Professor Shoemaker said.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2001 after the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $210 million to the University of Cambridge.
Between 80 and 100 students are awarded the scholarship every year. Since its inception almost 1000 scholars from more than 90 nations have taken part.