Top Musaeus student earns key award to study Economics in Queensland, Australia

Tuesday, 10 February 2015 00:51 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A Musaeus College student from Thalawathugoda has earned the University of Queensland (UQ) Centenary Scholarship for undergraduate studies in Economics, with just one a year being offered to an international student. Tharani Ransimala Weerasooriya chose Economics as her field of study after obtaining 3A*s and 2As at her Advanced Level examinations (UK GCE Edexcel), including an A* for Economics and a world best in Accounting. Inspired through self-study and wide reading, Tharani chose Economics because “Economics is not merely an academic discipline, but - for anybody who understands it - profoundly a way of life.”     “The School of Economics at the University of Queensland gives me access to a wide range of disciplines which subsequently leads to a more holistic understanding of social sciences,” Tharani says. Her ultimate goal is to pursue Development Economics. She has displayed a wide range of interests from scrabble, debating, quizzing and compeering to learning Spanish during her schooling years. “I view the University of Queensland as a very attractive choice due to the multiplicity of opportunities it provides to learn languages and pursue courses in a variety of fields,” Tharani said in her scholarship application. Tharani preparation has included a Research Internship at LIRNEasia, an ICT policy think tank active across the Asia-Pacific, where she has learnt valuable skills that will help in her studies at UQ.     “My internship was my first insight into academic life and helped put in context many things I learnt in Economics. My experiences at LIRNEasia kindled an interest in me to pursue environmental economics and behavioural economics at the University.” Tharani said that she “was thrilled and honoured to realise that I was the Centenary Scholar for 2015. I am extremely thankful to the School of Economics for its generosity in sponsoring me and the relief to me and my parents is beyond description.” Prof. Rodney Strachan, Head of the School of Economics said: “Tharani was an outstanding candidate for the Centenary Economics Scholarship. Economics is a growing field with huge job potential. It plays a critical role in providing solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges such as climate change, choices around energy sources and ensuring the future prosperity for all of the world’s people.     “We were very impressed by Tharani’s academic record and her clear motivation to study Economics. Her internship experience, wide reading in the subject and range of extra-curricular interests also made her a standout candidate. We look forward to welcoming Tharani to the school.” The Centenary Scholarship is a full fee scholarship and provides a living allowance to study for a Bachelor of Economics at the School of Economics, University of Queensland. The scholarship is awarded once a year in October to the most outstanding international candidate who has done A Levels or an International Baccalaureate. More information can be found on the School of Economics website. www.uq.edu.au/economics.

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